Reader clarifies transit position

Dear Editor,

Mr. Starr, in response to my letter regarding free transit, I can only assume you misread it. First let me point out that in my opening, I too argued free fares are simply not feasible.

Secondly, I live in what is often pointed to as the highest property taxed city in the province, so I do have a lot of “skin in the game.”

Thirdly, you question having only two or three passengers on the buses in our northern communities. I never said these buses were going to be magically filled overnight, it will take time for the service to grow.

I also have to ask you, don’t these people also pay their taxes? Would you say they don’t deserve to benefit from those taxes? I am inclined to possibly agree the use of full-size buses isn’t necessary, but we did have some smaller buses that had been used in other communities until ridership increased enough to justify the larger vehicles.

Instead of complaining over your taxes to ride on roads built and serviced through my tax dollars, why not make some suggestions to improve services. Durham Transit does leave a lot to be desired, no argument about that, but my letter was “constructive criticism” with suggested possible solutions to help build Durham Region so we all can prosper.

Brian Clabby