4 — Friday, September 19, 1997 - North Shore News North Shore bus service berated By Robert Galster News Reporter robert@nsnews.com NORTH Vancouver residents relying on bus service to take them to UBC are finding the experience to be less than worthwhile. “I gave up on their (BC Transit’s) replace- ment service,” said Edwin Perkins, a UBC pro- fessor. “North Shore commuters just aren't a priority.” Perkins has been commuting to work at the university for 18 years, but recent changes have forced him back into his car. The issue at hand is the cancellation of the No. 286 express bus service which operated at peak hours berween North Vancouver and UBC. BC Transit’s Trace Acres said the service was discontinued after ridership studies showed the buses would be better uscd on other routes. “It’s one o€ those situations where we had to make a decision to reallocate service,” said Acres. The discontinued No. 286 express bus ser- vice plied the highlands route along Delbrook to Montroyal, through Edgemont and on to Capilano Road. After crossing the Lions Gate Bridge, it became an express bus all the way to UBC. Share your views... 2. = : Parkgate Community Centre -- options and choices To make up for the lost service, BC Transit has pumped up service between Waterfront Station and UBC. The No. 44 bus now runs nine times in the morning and seven times in the afternoon. “Ir was felt with the introduction of the No. 44 it actually provided a better service to peo- ple in North Vancouver because SeaBus and Lions Gate users could connect,” said Acres. But Perkins has a different take on the changes. He says the No. 44 bus is more geared toward West Coast Express commuters when it comes to connection schedules. Ia addition, he says, two of the morning buses arrive at UBC at 8:34 a.m. and 9:47 a.m. mak- ing their passengers late for morning classes. “The new service is clearly irrclevant,” said Perkins. . Perkins said part of the reason initial rideqy ship studies may have shown the old No. 28 routes to be less than full was the erratic sched ules they ran on. ; “You’d call in the morning to see if it wal coming,” said Perkins, adding that there wer days the bus didn’t run at all. ‘ Over time many users simpiy gave up on ig he said. To Acres, the ridership counts represent af adequate basis for BC Transit’s decision. ; “We have hicard some complaints and that} understandable,” said Acres adding that comiig plaints are commonplace whenever a bus sere vice is discontinued. But Perkins isn’t taking the changes lying down. He has written a letter to Nort Vancouver District council and has spoken tm UBC staff to help him undo the changes. All pre-owned vehicles and executive driven demonstrators available for immediate delivery. They have been specially priced for this once a year event. he proposed Parkgate Community Centre is intended to complement the activities of the Parkgate Branch Library, providing a “full service” Civic Centre as a focal point for the community. Council is reviewing the proposed $8 million project and considering whether or how it could be modified to reflect changing needs. Public input is being sought on three options before final decisions on the project are made. Your views are important -- please read on. Three options Option ! i This original option, proposed in the referendum, includes * a sports hall/gymnasium, * multi-purpose rooms, * arts and crafts studios, * activity centres for youth and seniors, * community offices * and a childcare wing. Review the options Displays View informational displays at Parkgate Library, Ron Andrews recCentre, Seycove Community Centre. And, share your views on the options by completing a Feedback Form. Options ll & ill i These options provide the same total i floor area, but modify the uses, by: i ¢ replacing the childcare wing with: - expanded seniors activity area - community police office, and - child minding area ; © adding a 2500 sq. ft. weight room (which in option III is on a second floor). -- share your views Public Forum | i Or join a discussion of the Parkgate : Options at a Public Forum October 1, 7 to 9 p.m. Seycove Community School For more information call 990-2387 Dis trict of North Van¢ouver. ay 1994 Mercedez-Benz E420W, f pear! black/black leather, 64,000 kn. V8, automatic, sunroof, full history }47,9000 3 Sale Price $42,900 aa re rs 1993 Jaguar X16 Sovereign =|. ff - black/black leather, local car with . full records, 88,000km, extended: warranty, sunroof. " List $36,900 : Sale Price $32,900 or lease of Mercedez-Benz cars. Leasing terms can be customized 'to meet your special requirements. 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