No changes planned for controversial Burlington bus route

Published February 23, 2023 at 8:28 pm

burlingtontransit

Some came looking for a fight. Others expected news they didn’t want to hear. In the end, everyone got an answer: The Route 4 bus in Burlington will remain.

A recent meeting called by the City of Burlington to discuss the future of the route — held essentially to quell rumours — has temporarily put to rest calls from some residents to stop the bus from driving through their neighbourhood.

The Route 4 bus runs between the Appleby and Aldershot GO Stations but for users, it means much more.

For many the route allows riders to reach such sites as Joseph Brant Hospital, City Hall, Spencer Smith Park, the performing arts centre, schools and a seniors centre. But to others, it is considered a nuisance, an under-used service that creates noise, pollution and unnecessary traffic along neighbourhood streets.

While the anticipated fireworks didn’t happen at the meeting, those who attended got a clearer picture of the future of the route.

Burlington Transit staff told those in attendance that while ridership was down during the pandemic, ridership on Route 4 has increased 125 per cent in the past year.

As a result, there are no plans to change Route 4, said Director of Transit Catherine Baldelli who pointed out that the route, launched in 2019, is still a valuable service to many passengers.

 

insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising