The only thing worse than being ignored by TransLink, apparently, is being noticed by TransLink. That’s been the reaction from West Vancouverites mortified at inconveniencing drivers and losing parking to implement priority lanes for B-Line buses.
West Vancouver politicians have long assailed TransLink for their sparse allocation of bus service, and not without justification. In terms of transit, the affluent community has been treated like a dinner guest invited to pay the bill for a meal they didn’t eat.
But now, finally, TransLink is slated to connect the North Shore from Phibbs Exchange to Dundarave with buses every eight minutes during rush hour.
And yet, like Nero tuning his fiddle, many would sooner tinker with the status quo than try something bold and new.
We disagree with any alleged logic that prioritizes cars, particularly as B.C. aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions. But oddly enough, we agree with the opposition’s conclusion. If the project cannot garner support from the Ambleside-Dundarave community it should not proceed.
However, we offer a word of warning to merchants who contend the B-Line should halt at Park Royal. If business is challenging today, it will be abysmal when Park Royal is the only major transit hub in West Vancouver and Ambleside becomes the place the B-Line missed.
There are no more roads to be built and no more parking spots to be had. It would be nice to change. It would be nice if West Vancouver’s employees could ease gridlock by taking the bus. But if the B-Line outcry has shown us anything, it’s shown us why we can’t have nice things.
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