Editor:
Well, the stats are in.
This October, the Town of Ladysmith issued its Trolley Report.
Since the trolley started three years ago, total number of riders has declined 50 per cent; number of bikes has declined 60 per cent; service dogs 80 per cent.
Daily ridership has declined to 50 a day. That works out to five rides an hour — not five people but five rides, so it could be the same couple of people on return trips.
The only item to show an increase is revenue.
Since fares were introduced, revenue has risen 60 per cent, $7,000 to $11,000, while at the same time, passengers dropped 50 per cent, which really shouldn’t have come as any surprise — people weren’t riding when it was free; why would they ride when they had to pay?
That’s $11,000 income per annum, by the way, for a running cost of close to $200,000.
Surely even the most ardent supporters of the trolley on council will see this just can’t go on.
For three years, we have had this large empty red bus (white elephant?) driving around our town 10 hours a day, belching out diesel fumes and gobbling up tax dollars.
Enough is enough.
Brian Bradshaw
Ladysmith