Transit changes put south-end riders at risk

I am writing this letter as I cannot fathom how Peterborough Transit would change bus routes and stops that disadvantage certain segments of the population.

I do understand that the transit system needed to change to a grid system as having all routes coming into the Simcoe Street terminal was not practical, especially during a pandemic.

However, to completely remove some subdivisions from reasonably accessible transit disadvantages certain aspects of the population.

While I cannot comment on all of the route changes, I will comment on one. The part of Spillsbury Drive that runs from south of Sir Sanford Fleming Drive to Airport Road, was previously serviced by three bus stops.

That meant residents, including seniors, young moms with strollers, students and disabled individuals only had to walk a maximum distance of approximately 300 metres to the nearest stop. I was appalled to discover that effective June 28, this area no longer had a reasonable distance to walk to the nearest stop.

One new stop at the corner of Sir Sanford Fleming Drive and Spillsbury Drive will have pedestrians needing to cross a busy intersection. Although there are lights, requiring pedestrians, especially seniors and young mothers with strollers to cross this busy intersection is more hazardous.

The new stop on the southbound side of Airport Road is definitely not user-friendly.

This stop is forcing pedestrians to cross over Airport Road to either embark or disembark.

Myself and other residents have complained to the police as traffic on Airport Road regularly travel at speeds well above the posted speed limit of 50 km/h, many at 80 km/h.

Unlike the other stop, there is no crossing aid here. People will be jaywalking. At night, this will be a tragedy in the making. This is also a heavily travelled truck route.

Furthermore, the area designated for this stop has no concrete landing, is almost in the farmer’s field and the grass and foliage are quite high. I’m told there may be poison ivy there as well. This will become even more treacherous in the winter after snowplowing is completed.

Last year, two new bus shelters were constructed on Spillsbury Drive at Clancy Drive. These new stops were well needed as there are many Fleming students living in the area. The new stops came with new concrete pads and lighted shelters.

Both were needed and the many students I saw getting on the bus in inclement weather appreciated them. Now, they must walk almost 100 meters where there is no concrete pads and no shelters. What will become of these shelters? I’m incensed to think they will be removed after the monies that were spent on them.

School buses travel on Spillsbury Drive as we don’t expect young children to walk across busy intersections. We shouldn’t expect seniors, mothers with young children in strollers and physically and developmentally challenged folks to do it.

Lorraine Knowles, Spillsbury Drive