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I have a homework assignment for anybody running for council.
I’m a nobody and this is clearly optional, but it’s clear that many of you haven’t done ANY OF THIS before and if you’re making decisions related to transit, then you should do this at least once.
#hfxpoli
I’m a nobody and this is clearly optional, but it’s clear that many of you haven’t done ANY OF THIS before and if you’re making decisions related to transit, then you should do this at least once.
#hfxpoli
1. Start at Mumford terminal.
I’m being kind here, since most of us don’t start our trips directly from a terminal.
Start a timer when you arrive.
I’m being kind here, since most of us don’t start our trips directly from a terminal.
Start a timer when you arrive.
2. What do you think of the terminal?
Can you tell WHERE to wait for your bus? Is the a schedule or map posted for people new to the system. Can you BUY A TICKET anywhere?
Do you have a comfortable place to wait? Shade? A bench?
Your mission is to take a bus to Bayers lake.
Can you tell WHERE to wait for your bus? Is the a schedule or map posted for people new to the system. Can you BUY A TICKET anywhere?
Do you have a comfortable place to wait? Shade? A bench?
Your mission is to take a bus to Bayers lake.
3. How is the bus trip? Is there room for you to sit down? Did you get a bus with hard plastic seats? If so, brace yourself.
Listen to your favourite podcast/album to pass the time.
Listen to your favourite podcast/album to pass the time.
4. Tell me about the bus stop when you arrived.
Is there a sidewalk there for you? Can you safely walk to the business of your choice?
Is there a sidewalk there for you? Can you safely walk to the business of your choice?
5. Choose two stores on opposite sides of the street. Buy something at each one.
Again I’ll be kind and say that it can be something small.
What is your experience getting from the bus stop to the store? Crossing the street?
Again I’ll be kind and say that it can be something small.
What is your experience getting from the bus stop to the store? Crossing the street?
6. Now catch the bus back to Mumford.
Is there a bus shelter for you? Is there a place to sit? How is there weather today, anyway?
Is there a bus shelter for you? Is there a place to sit? How is there weather today, anyway?
7. You probably need to wait at least half an hour. Go grab a coffee, but you’ll need to finish it before you get on the bus. Is there a garbage can?
Or did you bring a travel mug? Where did you keep it? Did you have access to a place to rinse it out when you were done?
Or did you bring a travel mug? Where did you keep it? Did you have access to a place to rinse it out when you were done?
8. Arrive back at Mumford and stop the timer.
Reflect on the experience. How efficient was your trip? How comfortable?
Imagine doing this with multiple bags of heavy groceries. Or with a child in a stroller. Or on a rainy day. Or with a mobility aid.
Reflect on the experience. How efficient was your trip? How comfortable?
Imagine doing this with multiple bags of heavy groceries. Or with a child in a stroller. Or on a rainy day. Or with a mobility aid.
9. Chances are, even your direct trip from terminal to terminal was somewhat stressful.
Bayers lake is HOSTILE to pedestrians. Mumford terminal isn’t great either.
The comfort and convenience of drivers is prioritized every time.
Bayers lake is HOSTILE to pedestrians. Mumford terminal isn’t great either.
The comfort and convenience of drivers is prioritized every time.
10. It’s in the best interest of everybody to make transit more convenient and accessible (and I barely touched on accessibility in this thread)
Workers, employers, businesses, families, tourists, commuters...
Workers, employers, businesses, families, tourists, commuters...
11. The benefits of a good system extend far beyond the people physically on the bus.
MY BIAS IS SHOWING!!!
Very important additional reflection:
Imagine knowing that being a minute late for work will result in disciplinary action.
Pack a bag with a lunch, supper, change of shoes, and water bottle. Imagine making the trip with that bag.
Very important additional reflection:
Imagine knowing that being a minute late for work will result in disciplinary action.
Pack a bag with a lunch, supper, change of shoes, and water bottle. Imagine making the trip with that bag.
More reflection questions (again)
Imagine doing this to and from an 8 hour retail shift where you are not allowed to sit down beyond a 15 minute break.
Also, when did you have access to a washroom?
Also, imagine doing this in the winter.
Imagine doing this to and from an 8 hour retail shift where you are not allowed to sit down beyond a 15 minute break.
Also, when did you have access to a washroom?
Also, imagine doing this in the winter.
