CHANGES TO COMPENSATION FOR TRANSIT USERS IGNORE TIME IT WILL TAKE TO RESTORE SERVICE

The changes adopted by Council on February 11 to compensation for transit users ignore the fact that many people will not have full service until April 6. The compensation package approved by council still provides a better deal for people who paid for bus passes in December and will resume using transit in February than a refund, but the plan does not recognize the impact of reduced service.

People who paid for a pass in December, whether it is an express pass or an Ecopass, paid for full service. When the compensation period includes a time when only 30% of the buses that normally run between Downtown and Kanata are operated, the revised recommendations do not provide people with an equivalent level of service. The recommendations from Transit Committee were intended to provide a period of full service that was comparable to what people lost in December.

While council adopted the recommendations from Transit Committee, there were enough votes to pass a motion to reconsider. The effect of the motion to reconsider was to leave people who paid for a pass in December with no compensation in March until council had discussed the issue again. Those of us who felt people with Ecopasses and December passes deserved to be treated fairly reluctantly accepted that reduced compensation was better than no compensation at all.

Details of the revised compensation can be found at http://www.octranspo.com/Main_MenuE.asp. 

The claim that the cost of the compensation was not affordable does not stand up. If OC Transpo revenues are to recover – and transit is to play its role in reducing congestion – people who used transit in the past must feel that they are being fairly treated. The Council decision on February 11 was a step back.

Both my Kanata North colleague Marianne Wilkinson and I voted against the reconsideration motion that led to the reduction in compensation for people who paid for passes in December. We both recognized that when people paid for full service they should be compensated with full service.

KANATA SOUTH RESIDENT’S PERFORMANCE REMINDER OF TALENT IN OUR COMMUNITY

At the last council meeting it was the turn of a Kanata South resident to perform the national anthem at the start of the meeting. Sarah Ava Nouraeyan’s singing of O’Canada was a reminder of the artistic talent in our community. Ava is a high school student and is already distinguishing herself with the time she puts into volunteer activities. 

OPEN HOUSE FOR DOWNTOWN TUNNEL STUDY FEBRUARY 26

There will be an open house on the plans for a transit tunnel under Downtown Ottawa. It is a chance to get information and provide feedback. The Open House will run from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a presentation at 7 p.m..

The location will be Jean Piggott Hall on the main floor of Ottawa City Hall at 110 Laurier Avenue West.

WORKING FULL-TIME FOR KANATA SOUTH

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