Emilie Miranda | Executive Editor, Online
Featured image: Surprising benefits to the GO stops along Steeles are creating discussion about a permanent move north. | Basma Elbahnasawy
One ramification of the current CUPE 3903 strike has been the rerouting of transit vehicles, including GO Transit, TTC buses, ZUM, and YRT/VIVA north of campus.
GO Transit, in particular, has been displaced the most, moving from the bus loop at the centre of campus to drop-off and pick-up points on Steeles Avenue.
While this has made it a longer walk for students, GO officials have begun the conversation to create permanent stops along Steeles and abandoned the bus loop altogether.
“Our drivers have become accustomed to the temporary stops along Steeles, and many have found benefits in the shorter route that does not continue south of Steeles on Keele Street,” says Büs E. Man, director of commuting for GO.
“It cuts down on their time stuck in traffic during rush hour, and enables them to remain on main roads, making it much easier for them to make it into the Tim Horton’s drive-thru.”
One bus driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, says: “Avoiding the bus loop also means we don’t have to sit and wait for the streams of students going back and forth from the subway. Not only that, it makes things safer for those kids crossing at inopportune areas to catch the next train. I’d hate for them to miss their train and have to wait an extra two minutes.”
Some students agree with the proposed change, citing having to cover extra ground to get to the bus as providing health and wellness benefits.
“I’ve actually lost 10 pounds since the buses moved,” says first-year Gender and Women’s Studies student Faar Walker.
“The longer walk, having to run for the bus so I’m not waiting for an hour on the side of Steeles, and even the excessive sweating from hurrying through the cold air and then sitting on the overly warm bus have all contributed to my increased endurance. York has a great track-and-field team; if the buses stay north of campus, I think I have a good shot of making it next year.”
“People don’t realize how beautiful the north side of campus really is. Once you’re past the Student Centre and hit the open areas near Vanier College and Stedman Lecture Hall, it’s actually really quiet and peaceful,” says fourth-year Kinesiology student Amie Skye.
“Even the dust clouds from the neverending construction at Farquharson Life Sciences building aren’t enough to dampen my spirits. No, no, my cough is unrelated.”
Others agree that going farther south on Keele was more of a hindrance than a help.
“During rush hour, it was ridiculous waiting nearly 20 minutes to get from York Boulevard to Steeles; that was the longest part of my commute and I live in Oshawa,” says Anastasia Byte, a third-year Communication Studies student.
“Sure, the left-turn onto Keele from Steeles can take some time as well, but if you hit it so that the lights are timed just right, you can save a half hour from the trip.”
University officials point to the increased foot traffic by Founders Road as creating a safer campus.
“When students cut through the roundabouts, it forces drivers to be more aware of their surroundings and slow down,” says York Media representative Justine Sayin.
“We’ve only had to deal with one minor collision in the four weeks since the buses have moved.”
Funny, that’s not what I’m hearing from GO bus drivers. There is a significant wait Keele and Steeles and having to drive from the last stop at York back to 407 station only to have to come down Jane and make the left back to Steeles is a pain. The coffee and lunch spots on campus were convenient as well. Passengers hate the long walk and lack of shelter on Steeles. Quite frankly it seems like there are some spin doctors at work here. YUSA is negotiating soon and I suspect this will be an issue from what I have heard. I can’t imagine that students are thrilled at the prospect of attending York after the strike fiasco and this will be another reason to opt for other universities.