The president of the union that represents the city’s transit workers says Thunder Bay needs a centralized bus terminal in the Intercity area.
Amalgamated Transit Union 966 president Shelia Kivisto made a presentation to city council Monday night at a regular scheduled council meeting at city hall.
The presentation touched on a number of issues, including the city’s proposed transit master plan, expected in March, and centralization and integration of HAGI Transit into Thunder Bay Transit.
Kivisto said the plan needs a vision for the future that will increase ridership.
“We must provide a greater service before the ridership can grow,” she said.
That can be done by meeting the needs of Thunder Bay’s changing demographics, from seniors to people who want to ride the bus to go green. It can also be done by setting up a centralized bus terminal near Intercity Mall.
All statistics show that a majority of riders see the area as a final destination.
And based on complaints about a lack of service, Kivisto said the terminal needs everything from washrooms to concessions.
It could also use a ticket booth “so that Thunder Bay Transit can finally sell its own product, which is long overdue.”
With changes coming to transit through the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Kvisto said it would help the city if HAGI transit were part of Thunder Bay transit.
That move could help the city strategize better and cut costs by reducing duplication of management she said.
