Comments on: About Five Alive http://ward5.wordpress.com Your Voice in Ward 5 - Guelph Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:17:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: Dan McDonell http://ward5.wordpress.com/about/#comment-16 Dan McDonell Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:44:57 +0000 #comment-16 Buses and the city of Guelph Hello, Recently there have been some major changes to the bus schedules for the city of guelph that, too me, appear to be completely contrary to the spirit of the movement to encourage people to use public transit. As I understand it do to the buses consistently running late they are now going to be running every 40 minutes during peak periods. To me this just does not make sense. If the buses were overcrowded before then they will be even worse now. I would like to instead propose another type of solution. Previously, when buses were doubled up on a line due to higher volume the two buses would follow each other - this really does not make a lot of sense. It means that the second bus is usually running half empty or worse. Instead I would suggest that the two buses be split so that one is running half way through the schedule - this would mean that some people would arrive downtown 15 minutes early but I do not think they would mind that if it could assure them a spot on the bus. Is this an idea that could be brought forward to council? Thanks Dan Buses and the city of Guelph

Hello,
Recently there have been some major changes to the bus schedules for the city of guelph that, too me, appear to be completely contrary to the spirit of the movement to encourage people to use public transit.

As I understand it do to the buses consistently running late they are now going to be running every 40 minutes during peak periods. To me this just does not make sense. If the buses were overcrowded before then they will be even worse now. I would like to instead propose another type of solution.

Previously, when buses were doubled up on a line due to higher volume the two buses would follow each other - this really does not make a lot of sense. It means that the second bus is usually running half empty or worse. Instead I would suggest that the two buses be split so that one is running half way through the schedule - this would mean that some people would arrive downtown 15 minutes early but I do not think they would mind that if it could assure them a spot on the bus.

Is this an idea that could be brought forward to council?
Thanks
Dan

]]> By: Dan McDonell http://ward5.wordpress.com/about/#comment-15 Dan McDonell Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:37:08 +0000 #comment-15 The buses for the city of Guelph The buses for the city of Guelph

]]> By: Gord Sloan http://ward5.wordpress.com/about/#comment-8 Gord Sloan Sat, 21 Jul 2007 19:42:10 +0000 #comment-8 There was an article in the July 17 Tribune regarding a "walk-to-school" pilot project. The city plans to help both local school boards try to reverse a trend towards more children being driven to school. This trend has been identified as a health issue as well as a transportation issue. Both boards have endorsed the pilot project, which aims to go further in trying to develop strategies to encourage more children to walk. I would think one of the strategies would be locating schools where it would be feasible for a high percentage of the students to walk to that school. In the case of John McCrae, the opposite is the case. It is just not possible for a high percentage of the student body to be able to walk to school, given the huge area this school draws from. The issue has been well identified, but it seems the board continues along with their plans for John McCrae without any attempt to address this issue, and in fact perpetuating the problem as part of their policy. There was an article in the July 17 Tribune regarding a “walk-to-school” pilot project. The city plans to help both local school boards try to reverse a trend towards more children being driven to school. This trend has been identified as a health issue as well as a transportation issue.
Both boards have endorsed the pilot project, which aims to go further in trying to develop strategies to encourage more children to walk.

I would think one of the strategies would be locating schools where it would be feasible for a high percentage of the students to walk to that school. In the case of John McCrae, the opposite is the case. It is just not possible for a high percentage of the student body to be able to walk to school, given the huge area this school draws from.

The issue has been well identified, but it seems the board continues along with their plans for John McCrae without any attempt to address this issue, and in fact perpetuating the problem as part of their policy.

]]> By: Gord Sloan http://ward5.wordpress.com/about/#comment-6 Gord Sloan Sun, 08 Jul 2007 16:54:48 +0000 #comment-6 Topic: John McCrae School Does anyone else have concerns about the plans to build a new school? I certainly do. Such as: *The new school will be at least twice the size/capacity of the current building-so a much larger building. *This is no longer a neigbourhood school. The majority of those attending have to be bused in. There is a minimum of 10 school buses servicing the school currently. Another large percentage arrive by family car. Not a walkable site for majority of students. *The students who attend this school live between the Speed River and the 401!! Obviously the school is geographically poorly located to serve the area in question. *Water St has been experiencing traffic pressures for sometime, which in turn has had a negative affect on the quality of life for residents of Water St. Expanding the school and the traffic that is generated by the school will make the living environment even less appealing for residents. *Residents have not been consulted about the plans for the John McCrae site, by the school board. *Who is looking out for the interests of the residents that are going to be most directly affected by this project? I have had no communication from the school board trustees for Ward 5, either to keep us informed or to ask for any input. Topic: John McCrae School
Does anyone else have concerns about the plans to build a new school? I certainly do. Such as:
*The new school will be at least twice the size/capacity of the current building-so a much larger building.

*This is no longer a neigbourhood school. The majority of those attending have to be bused in. There is a minimum of 10 school buses servicing the school currently. Another large percentage arrive by family car. Not a walkable site for majority of students.

*The students who attend this school live between the Speed River and the 401!! Obviously the school is geographically poorly located to serve the area in question.

*Water St has been experiencing traffic pressures for sometime, which in turn has had a negative affect on the quality of life for residents of Water St. Expanding the school and the traffic that is generated by the school will make the living environment even less appealing for residents.

*Residents have not been consulted about the plans for the John McCrae site, by the school board.

*Who is looking out for the interests of the residents that are going to be most directly affected by this project? I have had no communication from the school board trustees for Ward 5, either to keep us informed or to ask for any input.

]]> By: Gord Sloan http://ward5.wordpress.com/about/#comment-5 Gord Sloan Thu, 14 Jun 2007 21:02:55 +0000 #comment-5 GOWS BRIDGE This bridge is 110 years old this year. Is anything planned to mark this milestone? GOWS BRIDGE

This bridge is 110 years old this year. Is anything planned to mark this milestone?

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