Riders are complaining that some Grand River Transit stops aren’t getting cleared fast enough after back-to-back ice and snow storms. Not only is it an inconvenience, but those with mobility issues said it’s making getting around this winter more challenging. Kevin Young’s wife opted not to go out on Thursday because she uses a walker. “She can’t get through all this ice and snow,” he said. “People are using wheelchairs, and there are some in this neighbourhood; how are they supposed to get to the bus stop and not get stuck?” Brett Graham took the matter into his own hands. He cleared the snow and slush away, not only from his sidewalk, but the bus stop in front of his house too. “I take the bus, so I know the struggle that taking the transit can be,” he said. “Especially having to walk through the snow, it’s not fun.” According to Grand River Transit’s website, snow clearing is done by contractors and begins 24 hours after a snow event. They then have up to 48 hours to clear GRT-operated stops and shelters. That has not been the experience of some transit riders. “This has been like four or five days now, at least, since we’ve had the last snow,” said Edward Faruzel, a wheelchair user and executive director of KW AccessAbility. “Something should be done about this.” He called it difficult and sometimes isolating. “It’s been a really tough year with so many different snowfalls. I can’t hop on the bus. I can’t really go anywhere.” Grand River Transit acknowledged the concerns of riders. “It’s been a very heavy start to the year, in terms of snow,” said Neil Malcolm, Waterloo Region’s acting director of transit services. “The clearing hasn’t met our expectations.” GRT said they have been in contact with the contractors to address to issue. “We want to make sure that the stops are as accessible as possible so people can access the service when they need it, and we’re working towards that as quickly as we can,” explained Malcolm. Some riders are not convinced. “We’re only at the beginning of January, so really, things are probably going to get worse before they get better,” Faruzel said. If it has been more than 48 hours since a snow event and a bus stop still hasn’t been shoveled, riders are urged to contact GRT customer service either by phone or submit a form online.
