Dear Editor:
In reference to the letter "Bus loop a potential disaster" in your edition of Jan. 8, and to the opinion piece "Mayor, council to blame for mess" of Jan. 10, I want to give some of the information on the source of the letters and then clarify what is actually happening with the bus loop at Brentwood. The letter regarding the "disaster" at realigning the bus loop at Brentwood was forwarded by Mr. Nick Kvenich, the same individual who in the last municipal election chose to mislead the electorate by altering his name to Nick Akvenich in the hope of getting more votes by placing his name first on the ballot.
The "mess" expressed for the second time in your paper by Helen Ward, another unsuccessful candidate two years ago, is another unfounded accusation.
Burnaby citizens might recall that Mrs. Ward ran with the homophobic group calling themselves Parents' Voice. This was the same group that launched vitriolic attacks at the board of education for bringing in a policy for the protection of school children who may have tendencies different from what. Mrs Ward considered the norm.
I guess the silly season has started even if the next election is almost a year away. Both these prospective candidates are trying to give a higher profile to their names. That is fair game.
But do they not realize that truth and honesty
would get them farther than trickery and dishonesty? Both of them direct their vitriol at Mayor Derek Corrigan. If only they displayed an ounce of Mayor Corrigan's knowledge, integrity and sound judgment, perhaps they may succeed in getting elected. Unfortunately they are a long way from that.
Now I will clarify the bus loop issue at Brentwood. The redevelopment of Brentwood Town Centre envisions a modification from a bus loop to an on-street bus exchange. Council asked staff to work with the developer and with TransLink to ensure that the level of service at Brentwood would be improved. This trio worked on the plan for about a year until the objective was achieved, including Coun. Dhaliwal's request that the walking distance from bus stops to SkyTrain be reduced.
Two open houses were held in Brentwood last spring and summer. I do not recall seeing either of the two writers at open houses. Perhaps they would have learned some of the details then.
The bus stops that have been reconfigured on Willingdon and Lougheed are all within a shorter walking distance of the SkyTrain station, some by as much as 50 metres, or over 150 feet. The bus loop was not closed until the new bus stops were completed. Contrary to claims made, no disruption of bus service took place.
Furthermore, a proper bus shelter will be provided on Lougheed Highway where there isn't one now, and a second one will be added soon at the stop east of Alpha. The developer will also add a second elevator on the south side of Lougheed to make it easier for people with disabilities and seniors to access and egress the SkyTrain station. Sidewalk improvements to city standards are/will be made on all streets where there is bus access. We may have had some inconvenience due to construction, but overall the transit users' service has and will continue to be improved at Brentwood.
To paraphrase Gordon Price, expert in transportation, from his statements of Jan. 12 in your paper: bus loops were never designed to be pedestrian-friendly urban environments, but more for bus driver layover. The changes being implemented at Brentwood reflect what the experts say, and council has given direction to staff to make comfort and safety of passengers and pedestrians a priority.
Pietro Calendino, councillor, City of Burnaby
