This is a petition to save bus route #73 servicing Northlake and Conservation Meadows. This cancellation was approved without public consultation on the impact on neighbourhood residents who rely on this bus connection to access the LRT line, university, high schools, employment, shopping, pharmacies, doctor's appointments, etc. Bus route #73 thus provides a vital link for local residents. 

Many families who live in this neighbourhood chose it because of its proximity to a good transit route. If the cancellation goes ahead, it will impact 57 daily boardings, and have an annual ridership impact of 14,307. The GRT's plan to cancel the route states that it is doing so to, "better meet the needs of the community". This is certainly not the case, as residents are left stranded without any viable alternative. If bus #73 is indeed cancelled, the nearest bus connection is for many removed for over 30 min on foot and completely inaccessible in the winter!

A petition has been created by Kitchener resident Meredith Blunt addressing the cancellation of bus route #2, which faces the same cancellation as bus #73. Her petition summarizes succinctly why these two bus routes must be saved: 

"On February 7th at Regional Council the motion was put forward by Mathieu Goetzke, the region's commissioner of transportation services since October 2022, to terminate the #2 bus route that services our community. This was moved by Councillor Wolf (Cambridge) and seconded by Councillor Foxton (North Dumfries).  GRT bus route #2  is scheduled to be discontinued in September of this year. 

There was NO publication or consultation with community members or even affected ward councillors prior to this meeting on Feb 7. There continues to be no communication regarding this to the public beyond private citizens paying attention to their regional government and informing people. A direct link to the minutes and a video of the council meeting can be found here.

People from distant parts of the region (Cambridge and North Dumfries) are making decisions regarding places about which they know little to nothing. The decision to cancel a route particularly affected by COVID restrictions and endless construction is thoughtless at best. This is not a decision to be made on questionable data or without consultation with the public.

In the linked council meeting, it is inferred that our neighbourhoods have no socio-economic need for transit. We infer that Mr. Goetzke and the region have not done their research, nor understand the real-world impact discontinuing the #2 will have.

Cancelling transit services now, when citizens are already suffering from elevated inflation and our cities strive to reduce their carbon footprints is very counterproductive. This change is going to result in a good deal more cars on the road, less accessibility and less money for people who are already struggling."

• The decision to cancel bus route #73 was made without public consultation on the impact. Residents should have a say when services they rely on are cancelled.
• This cancellation is not in line with lowering a carbon footprint and making public transport accessible to all residents.
• Single-car families will face increased financial stress in order to find means to access services, employment, and educational institutions.
• Residents are left stranded without any viable alternative.

We, the undersigned citizens of Waterloo Region call upon the Waterloo Regional Council and GRT represented by Mattieu Goetzke to:

• Commit to maintaining service equivalent to the one currently offered by bus route #73
• Commit to public consultation with all affected residents and officials prior to making any cancellation plans in the future.