Skip to content

Letter: Let’s transform transit

Writer feels city budget should make transit a greater priority
22048942_web1_letters-fwm-0703-letterw_1
Email letters to editor@yukon-news.com

Whitehorse residents have until May 31 to let the city know how we would like to see our taxes spent. A special comment page can be found at engagewhitehorse.ca where we can make and read comments regarding expenditures for the next operating and capital budgets.

So now is the time to let the city know that when we need to get somewhere we want a transit system that is our first choice - not our last. A dependable, equitable and accessible system with well-planned routes and hours of operation could go a long way in improving our health, our safety and our ability to use and enjoy all the services, and opportunities our city has to offer - regardless of whether or not we have a vehicle and can afford to drive it.

Let’s tell the city to use our taxes first to improve equitable and accessible public transit before spending on the infrastructure and maintenance that supports and encourages the use of personal vehicles. Public transport needs to be a top priority in the city’s Climate Action Plan to reduce emissions and promote sustainable urban development.

As Paul Hawken wrote in Regeneration, a 2021 collection of essays: “By shifting the focus from cars to people cities can regenerate themselves as vibrant places to live and work.” 

Julie Frisch 

Whitehorse