You’ll forgive some local residents if they snicker a little at the response the City of Burnaby just received from TransLink about a request to open washroom facilities at the Metrotown SkyTrain station.
The city received a letter from TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn basically saying it’s too broke to open the facilities, which have been partially completed, but remain closed.
Residents will snicker because that’s the response some of them get when they ask the city to fix or build something in their neighbourhood so they’re getting a taste of their own medicine.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley wrote to TransLink back in August demanding the washrooms be opened.
“Access to public washrooms is integral for the safety and comfort for all transit users, but it is especially urgent for people with disabilities and seniors,” wrote Hurley, adding that TransLink is relying on third parties like area businesses and the Metropolis at Metrotown mall to offer washroom access (a long hike from the station if you really gotta go).
Quinn has now written back and says TransLink just doesn’t have the money.
“A barrier to expanding washroom access, in the absence of third-party support, is cost,” Quinn wrote. “As you are aware, the pandemic resulted in significant reductions in transit ridership and revenue, which have only partially been offset by senior government support. The Board and Mayors’ Council are in the preliminary stages of developing an investment plan intended to stabilize TransLink’s finances and set out near-term investment priorities. The next step to ensuring availability of washrooms across the region is providing for their implementation and operation in a future investment plan, approved by the Mayors’ Council.”
So, yeah, riders will have to continue to hold it indefinitely.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
