HOW DO WE IMPROVE BUS SERVICE IN KANATA?

Most of us only take the bus to get from one part of Kanata to another if we have no choice. For most journeys, the bus takes several times as long as driving.

The problem is clear – because they have to serve entire communities bus routes through Kanata rarely provide a direct route from one place to another.

To look for ways to improve bus service within Kanata, Marianne Wilkinson and I are having a public meeting on transit service. Details are:

Kanata Transit Meeting

Monday, January 29
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Holy Trinity School
180 Katimavik Road

The goal is to get feedback from people who use transit, would like to use transit or are concerned about empty buses going through our community. Like the Transit Task Force I organized two years ago OC Transpo staff will be there to provide information on the options available to us.

There is agreement on the benefits of improved bus service. For people who use transit, it means less time spent on the bus or waiting for buses. For people who drive, better transit means more people using the bus and less traffic congestion.

Where there are different points of view is how we need to improve the service. For some people direct, faster routes are important, even if they have to walk a bit further to get to the stop. For others, it is to have bus service that takes them close to their homes.

This is why I hope you are able to be there on January 29. If changes to bus service are going to work, they need to reflect the needs of Kanata residents.

FERNBANK COMMUNITY DESIGN PLAN ROUND TABLE

The Fernbank Community Design Plan process will determine how the area between Glen Cairn and Stittsville is developed. For Kanata residents the goal is to make sure the impact on Kanata neighbourhoods is kept to a minimum and that the plans for new communities work.

Last November an Open House was held to provide people with a chance to suggest what the guiding principles for the development should be. On January 31 people will have a chance to review the draft guiding principles and see if they reflect the feedback that was provided in November.

The Round Table on the Fernbank Community Design Plan will be:

Wednesday, January 31
7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Scotiabank Place, 1000 Palladium Drive
Coliseum Rooms C & D

Everyone is welcome to attend. Regardless of whether or not you were at the November Open House, you have a right to have your say about a development that has the potential to dramatically change Kanata.

WORKING FULL-TIME FOR KANATA

I appreciate the chance to hear from you about issues affecting our community. You can reach me at 613-580-2752 (office), 613-580-2762 (fax), or peggy.feltmate@ottawa.ca