As I go around town, many citizens talk about public transit and the buses being proposed for purchase by this Council. People are for and against the buses in varying degrees, but the overwhelming statement is that they hope we can afford it. For some people, they just want more open disclosure and information.
People are concerned that we are competing with private enterprise and that perhaps Council should not make any decisions with respect to expenditure on buses until after the election. It is quite a hot topic no matter where I go in Town. I have to agree that Southland should be brought into the picture and they must be on board with the Town's plans.
Public transit is something I support in principle for a number of reasons as stated in the Cochrane Sustainability Plan as a long term solution to many social, economic and environmental problems. However, it would be great if the community could be asked for their support of such a system before any significant money is spent. With community support, the Town can do anything successfully. Without community buy-in and request for such a service, introducing public transit at this time may lead to a divided community. Maybe more time is needed to properly review the proposals. If public transit as is proposed is a good thing for Cochrane and the region given the money during this "green trip" funding opportunity, it will still be a good thing after the election. What's the rush? I just hope nothing is rammed through to avoid a reasoned debate with all opinions and interests on the table. That is what people are saying, and I agree with them.
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