Saying “Chatham can do better”, a local resident is trying to gather support to provide bus transportation for marginalized citizens this winter.
Mariusz Petrykowski, a long-time Chatham resident who receives Ontario Disability Support Program benefits, said for too many people, the choice comes down to food or transportation.
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As a volunteer at a local soup kitchen, he said he remembers last winter when people would come in nearly frozen and covered in snow because they had to choose between taking a bus or eating.
“Food is a basic human necessity but if you don’t live next to a food bank or a soup kitchen, it can be a long, cold walk just to get something to eat,” he said. “There isn’t any need for it.”
Petrykowski wants Chatham-Kent council to cut the regular bus fare from $2 to $1 during non-peak hours.
“I see buses running empty and I think that a half fare is better than none,” he said. “It’s not like Chatham would be losing any money.”
He said the safety factor would be increased as well.
“You don’t want someone trying to ride a 10-speed bike through the snow and yet you see it every day,” he said.
He said the idea isn’t a panacea for the community’s financially less fortunate but “if we can make one change work, why not?”
In order to keep any costs to a minimum, he said he doesn’t favour a card or a means test limiting the lower fare to some and not others.
“As soon as you have a card, someone has to determine who gets it and who doesn’t,” he said. “I don’t want to stigmatize anyone.”
He has started a petition on change.org https://www.change.org/p/municipality-of-chatham-kent-and-mayor-randy-hope-chatham-kent-off-peak-bus-fare-project in the hope of raising 100 signatures to get himself on an agenda to speak before munidipal council.
He has also enlisted the help of a number of community groups that are backing the plan including the Creating Smiles Network, People First Chatham Branch, the New Beginnings Club, Outreach for Hunger, Mental Health Network Chatham Kent, Salvation Army Chatham Branch, Law Clinic Chatham Kent and the Christian Labour Association of Canada Chatham Branch.
In his petition he notes, “I do not want monetary support from interested community groups, but rather I want their voice and political support. When I go before the council, I want to say that community groups support the Chatham-Kent Off-Peak Bus Fare Project. I am also open to any and all feedback about this worthwhile initiative.”
Anyone interested in helping or providing input should contact him at mp97077@hotmail.com or 519-397-1640.
