For all the hoopla surrounding the new Guelph Transit service, there has been absolutely nothing positive about utilizing transit since the implemented new routes and unachievable 15- minute service.
While travelling on a 20- minute service schedule, passengers were able to make transfers easily and drivers weren’t pressed as much to leave the square while passengers were still changing buses. Whereas now not only are drivers trying to stick to a schedule, the result is that passengers are left standing downtown for the next bus (which definitely isn’t arriving 15 minutes later).
Not only are the drivers unable to effectively stick to the 15-minute schedule, but they have become much less concerned about being pleasant to their passengers. While travelling last week, having missed my transfer I asked the driver when my next bus should be arriving. I was told, “It’s okay, you have time to catch your transfer.” Well, sure I did, because the next bus didn’t arrive until 25 minutes later.
Another query I had regarding the new scheduling was met with a begrudging “I’m not sure.”
While this is not the case with all drivers (I have overheard some giving very good, detailed directions to their patrons), I find it a little hypocritical that there are signs posted on board the buses indicating that as passengers we are to show respect to the drivers, and yet the drivers at this point seem to be so frustrated and stressed by this new system that they no longer show the same respect to the passengers.
Susan Lindsay
Guelph