Candidates questioned on local transit

As you may know, the Town of Caledon passed a bylaw for transit operations in Caledon.

While some points are an exact duplication of existing provincial regulations, there are some items within the bylaw itself that have made it impossible to operate a proper transit system within the Town of Caledon.

The most interesting point is the age restrictions that have been placed within the bylaw. The TTC has 269 buses that are scheduled to be retired that are between 14 and 25 years old. All of these buses would violate the current bylaw because they are more than the 10 years old, recommended by the Town's "transit expert."

Another portion of the bylaw that is bus model specific has placed an unnecessary restriction on the model of bus that is permitted. Metis Transit Ltd. cannot purchase buses that were manufactured by a company that was previously owned by a citizen of Caledon because it would violate the Town's bylaw.

The current mayor has admitted that she wants Brampton Transit to come to

Caledon, but only to Mayfield West, at a cost to the taxpayer of up to $250,000 per year. This has been confirmed by a report from March 14, by the City of Brampton and at a recent candidates' debate.

Here is a question to all candidates. Why is Caledon not working with one of its own business to bring you the service that you require, at no cost to the taxpayers?

By voting, this is your chance to have your say to

those who are running for council. Ask the current members of council why this bylaw was necessary. Show that you care about your community and let's try and get at least a 60% voter turnout.

Darren Parberry

Caledon