A couple of citizens, disgusted by the City's lack of clearing snowbanks from bus stops, took matters into their own hands this holiday weekend.
Armed with shovels and a small snow blower, the two, who have asked to remain anonymous, decided to do what the city won't, and proceeded to clear a space for passengers to board the city bus on Shirreff Avenue at the north end of the city.
"The bus stop was totally buried," one worker told BayToday. "I live in this neighbourhood and I'm sick of driving by people standing right on the road to catch the bus. It's a busy road, it catches a lot of traffic with people coming off of Algonquin, or leaving here to cross to Sobey's or get into town. There was nowhere for those people to stand. It was totally buried."
So he and a friend, after seeing a story in BayToday of a woman on a snowbank with a baby stroller, decided to help out.
"We cut a path into the bus stop so at least someone could stand off the roadway. I can't believe the attitude the city has with this. Is this what we need to do in this town? Will it take a little kid slipping under car wheels or an old lady falling under a bus? What will it take?"
In one instance, the city closed a bus stop, rather than make it safe for passengers.
His helper agreed.
"I saw these pictures on BayToday so I drove by there and saw it and it made me angry. I'm disgusted with North Bay council and with Public Works. Who is running the show? Heads have got to roll for this because this is a safety issue and an accessibility issue. The Mayor wonders why people are leaving North Bay, well this is a prime example."
There is one partial solution. Passengers can ask their driver for a courtesy stop.
Meanwhile, other people reported seeing sidewalk sanders out on a public holiday and wonder why the bus stops haven't been done.
