Reader letters: Push Windsor MPs, MPPs to help find ways to save Windsor-Detroit tunnel bus

Why can’t senior governments help save Windsor-Detroit tunnel bus?

Re: ‘It’s a lifeline’ — riders fight to save historic Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Bus (Feb. 14)

Did city council forget about senior government elections and reaching out to those interested in courting voters?

With our tax dollars going to ridiculous programs, finding a paltry $1.7 million for the Windsor-Detroit tunnel bus should be easy.

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Where are our local federal MPs to coordinate action with cabinet ministers? Heritage Canada to save a one-of-a kind, 90-year-old service? Labour Canada to gain an exemption to this (10 paid sick-days) rule?

And I’m sure Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault would love to dive in to ensure that the tunnel bus continues to divert thousands of cars a year to help save our planet.

On the provincial side, where are our Windsor MPPs helping out?

Has the premier or the minister of tourism been approached? What steps have actually been taken to engage our politicians at all levels to ensure this valuable service is saved at current fares?

Carol Bowman

Windsor

Windsor’s Dilkens has too much strong mayor power

Re: Mayor Dilkens formally vetoes Windsor-Detroit tunnel bus (Feb. 6)

Having a mayor who vetoes a strong decision by counsel is appalling. The vote was 7-4 — his was NOT the deciding vote.

Mayor Drew Dilkens needs to understand that these drivers are the face of Transit Windsor, day in and day out, driving the community to where they need to go. They can be physically and verbally assaulted and are exposed to other hazards.

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These sick days are perks of the job for having to be in contact with the public, and they were negotiated into a contract. Without these sick days it means they are not able to stay home and get healthy, spreading more sickness through the community — or worse, taking unpaid time off to stay home.

With the economy the way it is, who can do that? I’m sure most of these people cannot afford to take those days off unpaid.

Why have a city council if the mayor can just veto its decisions? I hope councillors are as outraged with him as others in his community.

Jamie Silva
Windsor

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