Development is attracted to transit routes

Re: “Frequency of buses key to transit service,” letter, Oct. 19.

The letter-writer is correct in all her conclusions regarding the frequency and locations of stops. This has been true since the 1970s.

Yes, the date is correct. In my intellectual youth, I did economic analysis of public transit on the west coast of North America, studying San Francisco, Portland, Seattle and Vancouver. My social-democratic bent wanted to build a case for “free transit.” Oh, the pain of disillusionment!

The comparative-studies results found that frequency and location (close) determined the success of varied transit routes. Price not so much. That is not to say that we can’t dream of free transit.

There is, however, a mistake in the writer’s conclusion that the current “old, primarily freight corridor is unlikely to meet the requirements.” Looking longer term (not me), many studies have shown the attraction of development and residential building to transit lines is indisputable. Perhaps the “densification” so many analysts and politicians hope for could be along this very line. Electrification of this option would make me swoon.

Max Miller Saanich