The civic elections are on for both municipalities and regional districts.  There are a myriad of issues.

Tax rates, infrastructure priorities, policing and public safety and more.  There is one flying under the radar at the moment that is going to become a conundrum if not addressed immediately. I speak of affordable public transportation.  Lets hit the nail. Bus Service.  At the end of October – the 31st there will be none.

Trick or Treat. Then what?  Municipalities and local Governments can say its not our problem.

When hundreds of angry people without transportation are waiting for answers it will become a local problem because the first ears to receive the angry message will be local and regional politicians. Oh – ‘it will effect a few people and its no big deal’.  That is the view of some.

In the case of Oliver, you heard it at the crime reduction forum.  If there is no bus service the jail personnel will have to drive the inmate home.

What about many seniors and  people with very limited incomes?  How do they get to appointments for Doctors etc? What about youth getting back and forth to educational institutions?  There are any number of reasons people will need a service that is no longer available.

What does the Chamber of Commerce say to prospective business relocation to the community? They can say it is – no problem – we have people who can walk for miles and our seniors are used to hitchhiking

No we can’t expect every small community to get into the bus transportation business.  We should expect every small community to pull together with others to engage senior levels of government to participate in solutions for communities well being.  Communities along Highway 16 in the north did it so why not here in the valley?

It is going to be a huge issue that affects everyone in one way or another very soon.  As a vehicle owner are you prepared  to drive family and older neighbors everywhere they have to go?

‘Leave the driving to us’ will have a whole new meaning.

 

Fred Steele