Public washrooms won’t be installed at satellite transit terminals

WATERLOO REGION — If you’re getting on the Ion or a Grand River Transit bus at a satellite terminal, you better use the washroom before heading out.

Waterloo Regional councillors discussed the possibility of installing public washrooms in satellite transit terminals at a committee meeting Tuesday, and ultimately agreed with a staff report that didn’t recommend it due to cost and safety issues.

“I agree there are too many dangers,” said Coun. Sue Foxton.

The report follows requests made during construction of the Cambridge Centre transit terminal public washrooms there. The practice has been only to provide washrooms at the two intercity transit terminals in Kitchener and Cambridge, where out-of-town bus services are offered.

There are no public washrooms at any of the satellite terminals and none are planned for the Ion stations. Typically these have shorter layover times, because people use the terminals to quickly connect with other transit routes, the report said.

Grand River Transit satellite terminals are located at Fairview Park mall, Conestoga Mall, Cambridge Centre Mall, Forest Glen Plaza, The Boardwalk, the University of Waterloo, Sportsworld Crossing — and planned terminals at the Sunrise Shopping Centre and Conestoga College.

Planning and works committee chair Coun. Tom Galloway said there are no funds within existing resources to install washrooms, if that was desired.

“There would be budget implications,” he said.

None of the satellite terminals have the capacity to install standalone washroom facilities without buying property or leasing space. There’s also the cost for a custodian to regularly clean the washrooms and for security.

Another option would be selfcleaning washrooms, which range in price from $125,000 to $500,000.

Despite security at the two main terminals, the public washrooms are regularly misused and there are ongoing problems with vandalism, plugged toilets, cleanliness, drug use and other criminal activities, the report said.

Coun. Jane Mitchell said it’s unfortunate a small number of people are causing problems.

“If we could try and find some solution that would be great,” Mitchell said. “I hope we continue to at least have public washrooms in the main terminals.”

Regional staff contacted six other municipalities and only one provides washrooms at a few of their satellite terminals.

Edmonton said the washrooms have a public call box and video camera to see who wants to use the facility and then security staff can remotely unlock the door. That system was installed several years ago after a murder in one of the public washrooms there. Even with the security access control, there are still ongoing problems including needle use, criminal mischief and vandalism.

Coun. Karl Kiefer said there are public washrooms in the Cambridge mall that transit riders can use, but those are not quickly accessible for older people or those with young children.

“You just don’t have the capability to get to that washroom,” Keifer said.

While he said he understands the rationale in the report, “we’re in the business to accommodate the public.”