Petition against SHIFT bus rapid transit plan picks up steam

More than 130 people have signed a petition against London’s bus rapid transit plan, SHIFT.

A group dubbed “Down Shift London” has been canvassing in the community to garner support for the petition, and expects the list will be longer by the time it’s presented to city hall.

“That’s just the core,” said Down Shift London spokesperson Dan McDonald.

“This was done by people expending shoe leather. They’re literally going from door-to-door, so there are several areas that have not yet been covered because these are merchants who still have to run their stores. So they get out and do it when they can.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "This was done by people expending shoe leather. They're literally going from door-to-door, so there are several areas that have not yet been covered because these are merchants who still have to run their stores. So they get out and do it when they can."

Members of London’s Downtown Business Association will discuss the city’s $560-million transit plan in their first board meeting on Thursday since a public information session about London’s SHIFT proposal.

“Since the last public meeting at the library, people have figured out that there’s a lot of stuff going on that they weren’t aware of,” McDonald said.

READ MORE: Bus rapid transit info session draws full house at London Central Library

But not everyone feels they’ve been left in the dark.

“I’m a little concerned that people are now putting up their hand and saying, ‘We didn’t understand that this was going to impact us,’ when the information has been out [and] readily available,” said SHIFT proponent David Billson, president and CEO of Ellipsis Digital.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I'm a little concerned that people are now putting up their hand and saying, 'We didn't understand that this was going to impact us,' when the information has been out [and] readily available," said SHIFT proponent David Billson, president and CEO of Ellipsis Digital.

Billson says Ellipsis Digital generally employs a younger staff who often rely on public transit for their commute.

“Having affordable transit is a key thing that demographic is looking for when they consider whether or not they’re going to move to another city,” Billson said.

“The city is going to have to deal with construction regardless of how this plays out,” he added. “The existing transportation corridors can’t support the kind of growth that the city is looking at doing. So whether it’s construction due to rapid transit, or construction due to widening lanes for additional car vehicles, we’re going to have that type of impact.”

READ MORE: London’s rapid transit implementation working group recommends additional public input meeting

In last week’s rapid transit implementation working group meeting at city hall, members agreed to have staff develop two alternative bus rapid transit routes, discuss impact and mitigation strategies with businesses, and hold another public participation meeting.

The recommendations need to be voted on at the committee level before going to full council for a final vote.