Southwest residents say rapid transit plans will only create more congestion
Posted Jan 31, 2016 11:39 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A group of Calgarians living in the southwest say the mayor and council ignored residents, who are pushing back against the Bus Rapid Transit project.
Ready to Engage has members representing about 14 communities in the southwest. Spokesperson Rick Donkers says the plan overestimated ridership, and doesn’t consider future developments.
“The southwest Ring Road will be constructed that will change traffic patterns throughout the neighbourhood, and the addition of four-car LRT on the south line that will make service much more efficient. Therefore, we don’t ever think they’ll make the ridership totals that they suggest,” says Donkers.
He also argues the city failed to consult the public before approving the plans five years ago.
“We don’t think people who ride transit in these 14 southwest communities necessarily want to take a bus and go around on the causeway and be part of the congestion there. We think this will add to the congestion on a very busy 14 St.,” says Donkers.
The group says Mayor Naheed Nenshi and Councillors Brian Pincott and Diane Colley-Urquhart are out of touch with Calgarians, considering the number of affected residents who know nothing about this project.
