Dear Editor:
Recent news articles have described well our angst and anger over issues we feel we can’t control: worsening climate change and the need to reduce our carbon footprint, inflation with rising costs in food and transport in particular, lack of affordable housing, rising property taxes. But rather than argue the details of our existential crises in this letter, I would like to ask readers a few questions.
How many of us commute outside of our hometown? In 2019, the Centre Wellington Community Foundation Vital Signs survey said that 60% of Centre Wellington residents do so, mostly to Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo.
Now, how many of us own two or more vehicles? Often two workers in the family means you must have two cars. Even with one salaried worker, the family needs another car for errands and childcare.
Now, what if you could manage with just one car? Think of the savings in car payments, insurance, maintenance, and repairs to say nothing of the reduction in trips to the gas station.
How could that be possible? Only if our local governments provide reliable, convenient and affordable intercommunity public transportation. Providing a service that meets the needs of commuters to Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo would address many financial and lifestyle stressors in our lives.
Not only would it save money for individuals and families, but also for our governments. Local governments are currently preparing for a future that needs more new roads, new bridges and bypasses for its growing populations.
Let’s instead work on reducing the need for new infrastructure through reducing the number of private, single-occupant vehicles on those roads.
We need up-to-date information on commuting in Wellington County – origin and destination, length of trip, frequency of trips, vehicle type, number of occupants, etc.
Does this information exist? We need to explore public transportation options, e.g., could Guelph transit evolve into a Wellington County transit system?
Public transportation is a public good and critical to the health of a growing community – and we have been told we must grow. Yet I have heard very little from our governments on this matter beyond the Ride Well program which, while providing a needed service for individuals, likely doesn’t meet the larger needs of effectively reducing single-occupant private vehicles.
The people of Wellington County need the option to not drive our car and instead hop on a reliable, convenient and affordable public transportation that can get us to work and home. My final question – what would it take for you to not drive your car to work and instead take public transportation? Now, let your local councillor know.
Paula Menzies,
Fergus