NEWS ARTICLES OF SUPPORT

Reprinted with Permission

Caledon Enterprise

Saturday, November 2, 2002

By Marney Beck - Reporter


COUNCIL ASKED TO SUPPORT BUS SERVICE

Some day buses could once again pull up at those Caledon Transit bus stops you see around Bolton and Caledon.

At least Métis Transit president Darren Parberry is working hard to make that happen.

Parberry presented a regional transit update to Caledon council Monday, complete with provisional maps and fare schedules, and noted he's planning to use many of the bus stops used by the defunct Caledon Transit system and the current GO Transit.

"Before we launch the service, I want community input by phone, fax or e-mail," stressed Parberry. "Tell me if you want a stop at your location or if a stop's in a bad location I want input."

He told councillors the initial bus service he's planning would go south on Regional Road 50 through Bolton, travel to Etobicoke shopping centres and hook into the Mississauga Transit system. He's also received many requests for routes serving Caledon East, especially among high school students.

Parberry said because some residents in built up areas didn't like the idea of large 40-foot buses going through residential neighbour hoods, he's planning to use 30'-foot-long buses or even 25-foot buses, the size of airport shuttle buses with about 23 seats.

He explained he will institute a $2 cash fare system, with cheaper fares available if passen gers are seniors or students, or buy tokens. He has sales agents lined up to sell the tokens. As well as extensive survey information from residents, Parberry displayed maps showing routes of some runs, but Regional Councillor Chris Harker told him "if you want council's support, you have to show us maps for all the routes and I'd want to talk to the Community."

Councillor David Lyons asked if Parberry had had discussions with both school boards to help with their busing needs, and Parberry responded that he has, and sees a "huge opportunity they can't provide busing at certain times and I can."

After ensuring that Parberry was not hoping for financial support, just a letter of support from council, he was told if he provides more information, council would give Metis Transit its blessing. Parberry is still looking for investors for his transit system, and receives no money currently from any level of government. For more information, check out www.metistransit.ca.
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