Moose Jaw is considered a friendly city and I am proud to call it home but our city…mayor and council, well that is another subject.
Their latest decision to discontinue transit service completely on Saturdays, excluding Paratransit, that does not fit well with me and I know many other people agree. Not everyone in this fair city drive or have access to a ride; taxis are very expensive for those on fixed incomes, and there ae a lot of people in this city that fall in that category.
The Dial a Bus was really starting to get established especially now that cold weather has arrived. The ‘powers to be’ seem to think that transit has to be a paying business. How many cities the size of Moose Jaw actually make money?
It is a necessary convenience. Businesses profit as people who take the bus go shopping or run errands.I know Monday to Friday is good with the regular city buses but people like myself also have to use the bus on Saturdays. I go and visit a friend who lives in South Hill. Walking over the 4th Ave. Bridge is no fun on a cold windy winter's day. Just try it some time.
No only did they discontinue the Dial A bus service, they did it without having a proper meeting letting the public attend and at least have a say.
That survey which they had a few months ago about transit services, that was a big laugh. More people replied to it than was stated in the report. Also Saturday service was requested to remain but the ‘powers to be’ decided long before the survey was completed that the friendly city people did not need Saturday bus service.
The mayor and city council should take a few days and walk instead of using their cars and see how much fun it is getting around on Saturdays dealing with ice, snow, slippery sidewalks and streets, and cold blustery days.
I have to do this now and am 70 years old. It takes me at least 25 minutes on way to visit my shut-in friend who I help on Saturdays.
I have ridden the Dial a Bus and the drivers have all said that the bookings were getting more abundant and word was spreading amongst the residents, especially seniors. Not all seniors are handicapped but walking is still difficult.
I ask all the citizens to band together and voice your opinions to our City Lords (Council and Mayor) and maybe they will see that people who voted for them are not happy with their decision making.
Shirley Daily
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
