When Roely Mezitis’ 96-year-old father in law lost his driver’s licence, he relied on BWG Transit for his independence.
“He was so happy with it. It gave him freedom” to get around and run errands, she said.
But the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury voted in September to remove the bus stop outside the Southlake Academic Family Health Team on Holland Court, which is also near a condo building that is home to many seniors — and now several local residents are calling for the stop to be reinstated.
“It’s not like we’re asking to put something there that wasn’t there,” Mezitis told BWG council during an open forum at a meeting earlier this week.
BWG resident Malcolm Proudlock presented council with a petition with 44 signatures, calling for the bus stop’s reinstatement.
“It’s unfortunate because the province has given you thousands of dollars, and you’ve decided to take it away,” he told council. “Why you took it away, we’re at a loss.”
According to a Town of BWG community services report dated Sept. 4, 2018, staff recommended removing the bus stop due to lack of use.
“The stop on Holland Court averaged 1.9 boardings per day through 2017, and one boarding per day in 2018,” read the report.
The stop also has several issues, including its proximity to on-street parking.
“The existing transit fleet can have difficulty squaring to the curb when vehicles are parked in the southernmost parking stalls,” the report read. “Removing service to Holland Court will effect on average 1.5 people daily.”
At this week’s council meeting, Mayor Rob Keffer said he would like to see BWG Transit continue running every 30 minutes, even if the bus stop is restored.
“That’s a very important stop,” added Coun. Peter Dykie Jr. “We should reinstate that. (Buses) play a very important part of that court.”
A new town staff report laying out the options for reinstating the bus stop is expected to be presented to council at its next meeting Feb. 5.
