Some public transit users think debate over BRT dominated by 'rich people' in cars

Some public transit users think the debate over London's $500 million Bus Rapid Transit system has too long been dominated by special interest groups who don't actually use public transit. 

It comes from public transit riders themselves after a new anti-BRT group calling itself "Up Shifts Creek" covered trees along BRT routes with yellow caution tape meant to signify which would be lost when the city builds the new rapid transit system. 

The new group joins Downshift London, a self-described "grassroots organization" that, based on the number of signs visible in the windows of Richmond Street restaurants, seems to be mostly made up of a cadre of well-to-do business owners. 

'Stay in your richness, enjoy the luxury'

"I would say to those rich people, stay in your richness, enjoy the luxury," said a bundled-up Paulette El Hajj, bracing herself against the cold January rain at a bus stop on Commissioners Road East on Wednesday.

"You should know there are a lot of people suffering on the routes," she said, noting she spends an extra 20 minutes each day waiting for the bus so she isn't late for her 40 minute ride to work. 

"This is because I'm scared I'm going to miss the bus," she said, noting she depends on public transit to get to a job she uses to support her 12-year-old son. "I have to be out of my house one hour before to guarantee I get there on time." 

'I'm for rapid transit'

El Hajj said public transit in London badly needs an upgrade. 

"If you, the City of London, want progress, you should do something about it and start from the routes. It doesn't start with the big companies and the rich people who have cars," she said. "I feel like this city is dying." 

"It's good in some areas, like Hamilton Road, but in other areas like Highbury Avenue, it's very slow and very long waits" said Steven Elliott as he waited in the rain for a bus on Wellington Street on Wednesday. 

"I'm for rapid transit," Elliott said. "I've seen it work in other cities, like Calgary and Vancouver. It's very fast there."

'We need to find the right balance'

"It's frustrating because you have to be at work at a certain hour and sometimes the bus doesn't even show up," London transit user Jean-Luc Adgalla said Wednesday. 

Adgalla said the public debate around the BRT should be about public funding, rather than which trees are going to be cut down.

"I'm all for supporting the environment, but we need to find the right balance," Adgalla said Wednesday, in reference to the trees on Richmond and Wellington Streets that were covered in yellow caution tape by protesters.

"You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs," he said. "If we need to take down trees to build the route, we should plant new trees to take their place."

Adgalla said when he hears arguments made by anti-BRT groups, such as Up Shifts Creek or Downshift London, its as if they don't understand that some people rely completely on public transit. 

"There are people out there who don't own their own vehicle," he said, noting at least five of his colleagues depend on public transit to get to and from work.