Remember Transit Come Election Time: MULVIHILL

Come one, come all … or maybe not.

Earlier this year, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe pressed the flesh with then President of Treasury Board, Mona Fortier, asking that she order public servants back to the office three days per week beginning in September. Fortier’s successor, Anita Anand, followed through with Sutcliffe’s request.

Needless to say, the transition has not been an easy one. If truth be told, it has been a disaster and it’s all Sutcliffe’s fault. The proof is in the jammed parking lots throughout the core and beyond.

Sutcliffe has failed to deliver on public transit and, in fact, he actually decreased transit services when they should have been ramped up to meet the demand. A number of transit users have subsequently opted to use their cars rather than add two plus hours to their daily commute. In short, OC Transpo has decreased service and roads are a congested mess.

Increased commuters equals the need for increased buses and trains. A simple concept that was lost on Sutcliffe and OC Transpo managing director Renée Amilcar. Amilcar previously made the executive decision to reduce service effective September to coincide with the need for more trains and buses to satisfy the increased number of commuters. University and college students are not impressed nor are the public servants that Sutcliffe seems to have such disdain for.

For Sutcliffe to have so little regard and respect for the very people he relies on to support public transit is truly astounding. Sutcliffe should be ashamed if he believes transit riders don’t mind the added hours to their day commuting rather than spending the time with their families.

Sadly, Sutcliffe’s minions on council voted along party lines to reject a motion to increase transit service. It would appear that the majority of those elected have little consideration for the taxpayers who rely on public transit.

Sutcliffe and the majority of councillors don’t care and it shows. Remember this come next election.

Donna Mulvihill is a community activist and former hospital coordinator

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