Mayor and members of council:
I am writing to inform you that I am adamantly opposed to the proposed budget cuts that were released on March 1, 2016.
I am contacting you today not only as the President of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1767, but also as a resident of Sault Ste. Marie.
Your proposed budget cuts to reduce Transit’s Sunday Service from 18 to 12 hours have been made without public conciliation and have been made with absolutely no regard for the citizens these cuts will effect.
Your constituents voted for you because you promised to “continually monitor the needs of our passengers, and review our service delivery on a regular basis in order to maintain people’s interest in our public transport service”.
The residents of the Sault have been kept in the dark through this entire process and will only be made aware of the changes when they are unable to access a service you promised to provide. Cutting access to transit services is an assault on the quality of life for the working families you committed to represent as mayor and council representatives.
I urge you to consider the economic and social ramifications of these cuts as transit is a municipal obligation.
Public transportation was developed to provide an affordable means of transport for the working people and to improve their quality of life. By implementing these cuts how do you expect the citizens that rely on this service to get around? Not providing early morning and evening service becomes a safety issue as family members will now be expected to walk to and from home and work.
From an economic standpoint the city wants businesses to operate here yet you are taking away the employees ability to have a reliable means to get to and from work.
Studies have shown that for every $1 invested in public transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns. Public transit provides economic opportunities and drives community growth and revitalization. Your proposed cuts will do nothing, but contribute to the economic challenges Sault Ste. Marie has been facing for some time.
From an environmental perspective rather than helping citizens reduce their carbon footprint you are contributing to the demise of the planet. One person with a 32-km round trip commute who switches from driving to public transit can reduce his or her daily carbon emissions by 20 pounds, or more than 4,800 pounds in a year. We have an obligation to do everything we can to help future generations by reducing carbon emissions not perpetuating their increase.
I urge you and members of council to reconsider the proposed reduction of Sunday service and uphold your commitment to providing transit service to the citizens of Sault Ste. Marie.”
Louie Lowis, President Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1767