Letter: Mission Transit Exchange

Letter to the Editor of Fraser Valley Current


Subject: Fraser Valley Current article, “Mission Looks to Crosswalk to Improve Bus Exchange Safety,” published Wednesday, December 14, 2022.


When elected officials or senior municipal staff go about their business, do they ever look at designs like Mission’s Second Avenue transit exchange and think, “that’s inadequate?” Followed by, “let’s fix this immediately.”

In yesterday’s Fraser Valley Current, dated December 14, 2022, the article regarding Mission’s Second Avenue transit exchange stated the obvious: a crosswalk is needed to connect the two transit stands, a safety issue brought forward by transit customers and residents.


Mission’s Second Avenue Transit Exchange with no mid-block pedestrian crossing to connect the two bus stops or medium-density housing with the library. Source: Google Maps.


The article says a sidewalk exists a short walk away, but some people take the shorter route directly across the road. The circuitous route via the legal crossing is approximately 100 metres on an incline. Even Google Maps does not suggest the legal path.


The nearest legal crossing is at Second Avenue and Horne Street. The Second Avenue bus stops are in the far background. Source: Google Maps.


Google Maps suggests crossing illegally between the two transit exchange stops.


Instead of a crosswalk connecting the two transit stops, municipal employees recommended road markings and signage to reduce speed, despite the issue being a street designed for higher traffic velocity with no protected intersections or adequate crossings for vulnerable road users. Thankfully better policy prevailed, with staff instructed by the Council to come back with a mid-block crossing proposal. However, the request should have included evidence-based (low-cost) safe street design measures.

The City of Abbotsford’s Engineering and Regional Utilities department proposes a transit hub design with flaws similar to Mission’s Second Avenue exchange, except it will have higher traffic, bus, pedestrian, cyclist and passenger volume.


A tweet by Mayor Bauters of Emeryville, California, regarding transit proof of concept.


Improved transit outcomes and transportation mode shifts are more likely when municipal elected officials and staff offer proof of concept by using transit and active transportation as a primary mode of movement.

Sincerely,

Ross F. Brown


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Keywords: Abbotsford, Montrose, transit, exchange, design, Mission, second, 2nd, avenue, crosswalk, mid-block, vision, zero, proof, concept, mode, shift, FV Current, CurrentFV, Fraser Valley Current, Editor