Londoners bring questions, concerns to bus rapid transit officials

Londoners are getting another chance to get the details and voice their input on the city’s plans for bus rapid transit.

A round of five open houses began Wednesday with an event at the London Public Library’s Central Branch. Each of the sessions features a formal presentation on the latest plans, which involve the lane configurations that staff recommend for routes; a question period; and a chance to look at the plans individually.

In each case, the presentations will be held one hour after the open house begins.

At the first open house, Londoner Jacquie Davison told 980 CFPL that although she looks forward to the service, she still has some unanswered questions.

“The challenge is public transit doesn’t go to my workplace,” Davison said.

“It’ll be interesting to see what happens to the regular transit. This is the backbone, but they also have to be coupled with enhancements in regular transit so we can get to the places we need to get.”

Londoner Paul Shuurmans said rapid transit is important for London, and he’s pleased with the amount of consultation with the community.

“Planners that have experience, they see the big picture more sometimes than some of the citizens but if you could bring it together, which I think is happening now, it’s a good thing,” Shuurmans  said. “You just can’t build an infrastructure project like this without consulting the citizens.”

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Five open houses are being held between Wednesday and Saturday:

• Feb. 28: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Central Library, 251 Dundas St.
• Feb. 28: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Oakridge Secondary School cafeteria, 1040 Oxford St. W.
• March 1: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Western University’s London Hall, 1140 Western Rd.
• March 3: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1 Frank Pl.
• March 3: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Fanshawe College, H1013 Cafeteria, 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd.

In January, the provincial government committed $170 million towards the $500-million dollar plan.

The city has said it will put $130 million towards the plan but the federal government hasn’t said when — or if — it will commit funding for the project.

With files from 980 CFPL’s Liny Lamberink and Jake Jeffrey.