From: Jennifer Hanson, thenorthbaybay.ca staff
NORTH BAY — North Bay Transit is asking all passengers to enter city buses through the rear door.
Greg Raimi, Manager of City Transit, says the decision to change bus policy did not come lightly, but “after much thought and some trepidation” it now “feels right.”
“At this stage, transit is comfortable enough to try this with the city,” says Raimi. “It’s been a steady relationship and we’re ready for something new.”
Passengers are asked to board using the normally “exit only” rear doors.
“We’re expecting it to get a little messy back there,” says Raimi. “There’s going to be a whole lot going on in a very small space, so things might be a bit tight at first.”
“Just remember to wash your hands before and after and stay safe,” reminds Raimi. “Take it slow to avoid any injuries.”
Coming From Behind
North Bay is not the first city to experiment with rear entry.
“We’re a bit behind the curve on this, actually,” smiles transit expert Lana Stub. “Most cities have been using the rear doors as entry points for months.”
“Sudbury’s been doing it for years, and they have a very high customer satisfaction rate.”
Greg Raimi hopes that the new policy with encourage people to use transit more.
“Once we’re used to it, I think rear entry will be a big part of our daily lives,” says Raimi. “Ultimately, it’s about helping the city grow, and if that means taking hundreds of people through our rear doors everyday, then that’s just what we’ll do.”
“We might spend a bit more time greasing up the doors each morning, but that’s A-OK with me.”