ATWE REACTS TO COUNCIL ELIMINATING TUNNEL BUS

WINDSOR, ON - Activate Transit Windsor Essex, a grassroots advocacy group working for a more accessible and sustainable transportation system in Windsor and Essex County, released the following statement in response to Drew Dilkens’ successful veto of the tunnel bus. 

The short-sighted nature of this decision cannot be overstated. Dilkens, Morrison, Mark McKenzie, Sleiman and Gignac consistently referenced making “proper business decisions” and the increased fare as a deterrent to tunnel bus ridership. It is clear that a systematic dismantling of our transit system is in action, and it is extremely disingenuous for Council to cite their own decisions as reasons to discontinue the service. 

Councillor Gignac, along with Mayor Dilkens, indicated that shifting tunnel service to the private sector was in the best interest of Windsorites. The barriers this will place on Windsor residents who rely on the service are insurmountable. The Mayor offered residents who rely on the tunnel bus the option to purchase a car or take an Uber across the border daily. Many Windsorites do not own a personal car or have a license, and many cannot afford the cost of taking an Uber across the border. This is an irresponsible attack on climate, and working Windsorites. This short sighted, reactionary approach to municipal government will negatively impact Windsorites for the near and far future. 

Mayor Dilkens has made it clear, through his constant rhetoric targeting the Federal Government and Justin Trudeau, that his decision is driven by partisan allegiances. ATWE condemns these statements. Partisanship and personal political ambition have no place in municipal government. In an era where Council has consistently voted against measures of social good, consistently stating that addressing homelessness, poverty, inequality and drug use are issues of the Provincial and Federal government, it is extremely disappointing and telling that the Mayor and Councillors McKenzie and Gignac have now decided that control of the border is a Municipal responsibility.