New Conestoga College transit hub approved by regional council
Posted Jan 17, 2024 07:04:26 AM.
Last Updated Jan 17, 2024 07:04:29 AM.
Regional council has approved the design of a proposed Grand River Transit hub at Conestoga College’s Doon Campus.
The hub will be located in Parking Lot 6 of the campus, which turns onto Doon Valley Drive in Kitchener. It will feature on-demand heating for waiting passengers, schedule displays and a bike shelter and canopy.
Nelson Chukwuma, president of Conestoga College Inc., the college’s student association, said the new hub will benefit the students and nearby residents who use transit.
“We believe the proposed improvement and enhancements will assist with rider confidence experience, improved traffic flow on campus roadways, enhance safety for students travelling to and from classes and create a respectful environment for the surrounding community,” said Chukwuma.
Conestoga’s student association voted in favour of a GRT universal pass program in October, which is expected to begin September 1.
The latest public correspondence from October 2023 found 55 per cent of respondents were in favour of the hub. They also found there were some concerns about increased traffic, noise and air pollution and increased number of buses passing by The Mill Club, located across the college.
“This will produce an expensive, top notch, but out of the way bus hub serving the college, students and staff with very little or anything for anyone else,” said Mary, a resident of The Mill Club who spoke at the committee meeting. “It’s not in an accessible place where other tax paying citizens of Waterloo Region can use it.”
The region said they conducted traffic and noise studies on the hub and looked into finding alternative locations.
Construction of the hub is expected to begin in the spring of 2025 and be completed by the end of 2026.
