DRT Oshawa Stop the changes to the 401 Simcoe bus route

Petition To:

Mr. Vincent Patterson, General Manager, Durham Region Transit, Mr. Roger Anderson, Regional Chair and CEO, Region of Durham, Mr. Brian Bridgeman, Commissioner of Planning, Region of Durham, Ms. Kathy Weiss, Director of Economic Development and Tourism, Region of Durham, Mr. John Henry, Mayor, City of Oshawa, Mr. John Aker, Regional and City Councillor, City of Oshawa, Mr. Dan Carter, Regional and City Councillor, City of Oshawa, Mr. Bob Chapman, Regional and City Councillor, City of Oshawa Ms. Nancy Diamond, Regional and City Councillor, City of Oshawa, Mr. Rick Kerr, Regional and City Councillor, City of Oshawa, Ms. Amy McQuaid-England, Regional and City Councillor, City of Oshawa, Mr. John Neal, Regional and City Councillor, City of Oshawa Mr. Nester Pidwerbecki, Regional and City Councillor, City of Oshawa, Mr. Doug Sanders, City Councillor, City of Oshawa, Mr. John Shields, City Councillor, City of Oshawa.

 EFFECTIVE JUNE 27th, 2016, THE 401 SIMCOE BUS STOPS BETWEEN FIRST AVE., AND WENTWORTH ST, (WHERE RITSON RD MEETS UP TO SIMCOE SOUTH) NORTH AND SOUTH BOUND, WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE.  THE DRT HAS DECIDED TO CHANGE THE ROUTE.  IT WILL NOW BE TRAVELING VIA RITSON RD., BETWEEN FIRST AVE. AND WENTWORTH STREET.  RESIDENTS WILL HAVE TO WALK TO THE NEAREST BUS STOPS ON RITSON RD OR SIMCOE STREET, TO BE ABLE TO CATCH THE 401 SIMCOE BUS.

 

 For a lot of the people, including myself, neither one of these alternative bus stops are near to us; reason being, we are living right in the middle of First Ave. and Wentworth, every alternative bus stop is too far of a distance.

 

We have living in our area:

  

 

1. The Elderly. 

 

2. People who are physically challenged, using walkers and/or wheelchairs

 

3. Highschool Students

 

4. College Students

 

5. Workers

 

6. Small children

 

These people depend on the 401 Simcoe bus running along Simcoe St. Which it has been doing for more than 40 years, offering the people a safe and convenient service. The high school students have no option for transportation to the schools, because they will have to walk half the distance to a bus stop before being able to get transportation. In the winter it will be a longer walk in freezing conditions, ice and snow. People use this bus route to arrive at doctors offices: clinics, hospital, dentist office, chiropractor, the list goes on. Especially, the elderly, physically challenged, and parents with small children (babies). Again, in winter these walks are longer and for the most part will be impossible for many in freezing conditions, ice and snow. Also, DRT , by changing this bus route, are making people travel streets by foot which are not safe to travel, especially at dark, to catch a bus or to get home. A bus that had been travelling a safe and convenient route for over 40 years.

 

It has been brought to the attention of the Durham Region Transit, that this is not acceptable to the residents.  Many complaints have been brought to DRT's attention, but nothing has been done. DRT continues to only inform the people which bus stop they may now utilize and which side street to take to get there. With this change, DRT is setting themselves up for many law suits against them. People falling trying to get to the new bus stops. Any criminal acts that happen to anyone who will have to walk through side streets to catch a bus or to get home from the bus stop. This changed bus route has no logic and will not be accepted by the people. We need to take stronger action with DRT against their decision concerning the 401 Simcoe bus. Please sign this petition, and let us begin.

Here is a link to the new bus route of the 401 Simcoe:

http://www.durhamregiontransit.com/Maps/Documents/June%2027%20Service%20Changes/Completed%20Route%20Maps%20and%20Schedules/Route%20401_June27.pdf

The section on Simcoe st., between First Ave and Wentworth Street,  going North and South will no longer be available. Going South bound it will continue on Simcoe st., south of Wentworth where Ritson rd. and Simcoe meet up.  it will go around the lake and back up to Wentworth st.  It will travel East on Wentworth, Straight up to Ritson Rd. go north on Ritson to First Ave. and then back on Simcoe heading North.

Here is a link where you can read what the DRT says about the NEW ROUTE.  Just scroll down the page until you see 401 and you can read what they wrote about the new changes.

http://www.durhamregiontransit.com/Maps/Pages/June-27-Service-Changes.aspx

 We will be organizing a door to door petition signing this Sunday, 12th of June.  Anyone who would be interested in joining, please contact us on this petition page  through a private message. Thank you.  please keep commenting it helps to know everyones thoughts, concerns, and how this bus route change will be affecting you.  Thank you!

WE the undersigned, petition the above as follows: Please review and rescind this decision and restore services along this route.

Roxanne Schmidt and Bonnie Burachok    Contact the author of the petition