LETTER

STO to close Rivermead and Hippodrome Park-and-Rides

 

Regarding the STO's changes affecting Aylmer, I have learned that the STO will be closing both the Rivermead and Hippodrome park-and-rides. The reason is, according to one bus driver, the STO does not own the property where both park-and-rides are located -- they are rented. Developers plan on building along chemin Aylmer between Rivermead and the Hippodrome. By eliminating bus routes from stopping at Rivermead, the STO can tell City Council that users and ridership from the park-and-ride has decreased considerably; therefore, a park-and-ride will no longer be required at Rivermead. That will justify building more condo towers -- because there will not be enough towers in Aylmer -- and, the way I see it, the road infrastructure to and from Aylmer will not change to reflect the increased population.

An issue for the STO before the new changes were implemented was that Aylmer riders coming home at the end of the day from Ottawa would use whatever 40-something bus would arrive. By the time that bus arrived in Hull, it was packed, preventing riders heading to Aylmer from boarding in Hull. When those buses arrived at Rivermead, most of the people disembarked and, by the time that bus neared its end point, it was pretty much empty.

I personally cannot use the new STO routes/schedule as the earliest bus I would need to take is too late for me since I am on shift work, so I have to use my car to get to work.  If other passengers do not have schedule issues, the best way to get to Ottawa would be to get to Rivermead and take the 58.  Once Rivermead closes, passengers will need to somehow connect to the 58 or take the 58 directly because it goes to Tunney's Pasture in Ottawa along the current Transitway and the future light rail system. This allows passengers to go in any direction in Ottawa, including the downtown core. If passengers are lucky enough to be able to connect to a 40-something bus route, or take a 40-something bus route directly or take the 59, they can still get to Hull and to downtown Ottawa.  Coming home is a bit tricky still, especially for people coming from Hull, since buses are still packed by the time they arrive in Hull; even with the changes, that problem still exists and must be addressed by the STO. On the other hand, the 58 did not appear to be too packed coming from Ottawa to Aylmer.

So, voters, while residents in the Gatineau sector have the Rapibus system and a beautiful and large park-and-ride at Labrosse, what do Aylmer citizens have?

Ed Angers
Aylmer sector