Bus stops where?
Osoyoos' Greyhound bus depot, which has been operating out of the Destination Osoyoos (DO)/Visitor Centre, was scheduled to move to the Sonora Centre next month.
That's when the DO offices are vacating the current building to make way for the construction of the new Visitor Gateway Centre.
Knowledge of the move caused concern in the community due to the Sonora Centre's proximity to the elementary school. Parents have spoken about safety issues, which include extra bus and car traffic in the area, and say they are also upset they weren't informed sooner of Greyhound's intentions.
The Osoyoos Times followed the story, which evolved from the beginning to the end of the week.
On Tuesday, Destina-tion Osoyoos Executive Director Glenn Mand-ziuk said Greyhound had done a feasibility study and assessed the site, determining it to be a positive site for a number of reasons.
They saw the 30 kilometre zone and the fact that it is a one way street as positives. And they felt the departure and arrival times didn't conflict with the times at the school, said Mandziuk.
Greyhound is an important service for the community. The main users are locals travelling to see family or take vacations. I would imagine there will be more traffic caused by the visitor centre than by Greyhound.rnHe added that the Greyhound study looked at every challenge thrown at the depot and felt confident the temporary move would be a good one.
Last Friday, Kevin Cluett, the Regional Manager of Greyhound, confirmed the bus depot would temporarily relocate to the Sonora Centre.
Our agent is Destination Osoyoos, and we will be moving along with them, returning back to the visitor centre location once it's built, Cluett said.
He added he had heard concerns about the lack of washrooms and food services, but understood they would be available in the Sonora Centre location. As far as safety issues, being next door to the elementary school, Cluett said safety is a paramount concern to everybody.
This is a temporary location only. From now until June is typically our slower season. We peak again in July and August, but by then school is out for summer, he said.
He added that he did not see a conflict with Greyhound's schedules and the activities at the school. Greyhound's departure/arrival times are 6:50 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 3:10 p.m.
Cluett said Grey-hound is not looking at other options.
The deal has been worked out through our agent – Destination Osoyoos, and the Town of Osoyoos, he said.
However, Mayor John Slater said Friday that the town is working with Destination Osoyoos to find another location.
Town council has decided the routing is unacceptable. Grey-hound just showed up last week on site and showed us the routing, Slater said.
He added that, although some of the concerns may have been blown a bit out of proportion, council wants to make sure the community's concerns are taken care of.
Although other cities have many buses going in front of schools, Osoyoos is special in everyone's minds. Council is trying to take care of the situation. A single child hurt is one too many.rnOsoyoos Elementary School Principal Farida Lubbers said that a covenant between the school and the Sonora Centre states certain activities cannot take place near the school.
School Board Chair June Harrington reviewed the covenant and determined the situation was resolved. The bus depot will not be at the Sonora Centre, Lubbers said.
Glenn Mandziuk was not available for follow-up comments at press time.
