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Bus-only lanes wouldn’t solve Victoria-area congestion problems

Move would only further clog up existing traffic lanes

The Capital Regional District has been considering bus-only lanes between Victoria and West Shore. When are our elected officials going to realize that we only have two highways to West Shore – two lanes each way on the Island Highway and one on the Old Island Highway.

To eliminate one lane and use it for buses only will add traffic onto one lane on a highway that is close to gridlock now with two. This may allow faster travel times for buses, but it will create complete chaos for drivers.

Meanwhile our elected officials talk of future rapid transit, which we all know will take years to build and implement. However, we still have the E&N, rusty and unused, which could be utilized almost immediately with the infusion of $2 million to $3 million.

We don’t need anything pretentious to start with, despite statements being made that it would be too costly. Already we have stopping points in Langford, View Royal and Vic West.

The mayor of Langford is on record stating that future growth along Langford Lake would be railway friendly. Two passenger cars operating with the same fare structure as buses, with park and rides along the way and connecting buses, would eliminate much of the present gridlock.

Does this sound too complicated? I think not. It is being done all over America and Europe, so why not Victoria? Or is Victoria too old-fashioned to utilize common sense?

Patrick O. Hind

View Royal