Residents in the northwest Calgary community of Panorama Hills are unhappy with changes made to the snow detour route for the No. 8 bus. The new detour route takes the bus out of the community entirely on snow days, forcing residents to walk 30 minutes to access the bus. Calgary Transit implemented these detours to reduce the risk of buses getting stuck in the snow, citing historical data that shows many buses have become stuck in Panorama Hills and Hanson Ranch in previous winters.
Transit officials defended the detour route, stating that not detouring the bus or traveling further into the community would result in bus service being entirely disrupted. They argue that the detour routes are based on data that ensures the least number of customers are impacted, prioritizing the safety and efficiency of bus service. However, residents like Mohamed Aly believe that Calgary Transit should explore alternative routes in Panorama Hills that do not require buses to avoid the community altogether, considering the inconvenience caused to residents who rely on the bus for daily commutes.
Ward 3 Coun. Jasmine Mian has been looking into the issue with city administration, emphasizing the importance of considering overall system performance when implementing snow detours. Mian acknowledges that while some residents may prefer not to have snow routes, it is essential to prevent buses from getting stuck repeatedly on hills, which can lead to system failures. Aly hopes that Calgary Transit will reconsider the detoured route to ensure that bus access is maintained in the neighbourhood, as many residents, including students attending university and high schools, rely on the bus for their daily commute.
Calgary Transit has stated that riders will receive advance notice when a snow detour is in effect to help them plan their trip accordingly. They advise riders to stay updated on service changes through their website. The transit agency emphasizes the importance of safety and efficiency in implementing snow detours, despite the negative response from residents in Panorama Hills. The ongoing dialogue between residents, city officials, and Calgary Transit demonstrates the importance of balancing the needs of commuters with the challenges posed by inclement weather conditions in the city.
