The Editor,
Re: "Lee thanks supporters and Brodie," Letters, Nov. 25.
In his letter, Richard Lee reports that, thanks to the efforts of Mayor Brodie, there will soon be a no-bus zone on Saba Road.
Saba is the street directly north of the Brighouse Canada Line station and is the stopping point for some eastbound buses.
Apparently the mayor has come to an agreement with the residents of this area to close Saba Road to buses.
Most of these people bought condos within a block of this key station and now object to buses in the area.
Have you wondered why No. 3 Road is still congested with traffic even though we now have the Canada Line?
It is because the buses were never supposed to stop in the curb lane on No. 3 near the Brighouse station.
In the plans for this area, the empty space behind Brighouse station was designated as the bus loop, designed to facilitate transfers between buses and the train. Buses would enter the loop via the lane off Saba Road.
There are two reasons why, as a major transit hub, Brighouse station should have a bus loop like those at Bridgeport and Marine Drive Stations.
One: Without the loop, traffic on No. 3 Road will forever be impeded by buses stopping in the curb lane.
Two: Brighouse passengers currently have to walk significant distances in order to make transfers. There are stopping points all the way from north of Saba Road to Cook Road, and down to Richmond Centre.
Some passengers have to cross two streets in order to make a transfer. There are commuters who regularly burst out of their bus at a dead run in order make connections almost a block away.
This situation does not serve those who use transit, nor does it support Richmond's claim to decent, accessible transit service.
Latecomers who bought condos around Brighouse should not be calling the shots on a transit system that affects the entire community.
The City of Richmond may have a group of unhappy residents around Saba, but it has much greater numbers of transit passengers whose buses pass through Brighouse and vehicle drivers who get caught in the No. 3 Road traffic jam.
Richmond city hall desperately needs someone who can see the big picture and plan accordingly with this type of project.
Marion Smith
Richmond
