Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis has taken the reins in championing a proposed bus pass pilot project through council, utilizing visual evidence to sway opinions and garner support.

During Tuesday’s council meeting, Lewis presented a series of photographs capturing London Transit’s #7 bus en route to Clarke Road Secondary School. These images served as compelling proof of the bus’s underutilized capacity, emphasizing the potential to accommodate more high school students.

The Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee recently recommended the development of a draft agreement with the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) and London Transit Commission (LTC) for a pilot project at Clarke Road Secondary School. The initial phase would offer Grade 9 students free bus passes starting this September, with Grade 9 and Grade 10 students included in the following year.

Lewis’s argument centered on the current availability of seats on buses, stating, “I wanted you to see with your own eyes, there are capacity opportunities on these buses, there are seats available right now.”

However, Coun. David Ferreira countered with ridership data from London Transit’s #35 bus route, indicating peak capacity levels of 134% in the morning and 150% in the afternoon. Despite this, Lewis remained confident, noting that buses typically reach a maximum capacity of 200% when all seats are occupied, and additional passengers are standing.

He proposed that leveraging nine different bus routes stopping at Argyle Mall could effectively serve student transportation needs.

Ferreira advocated for consulting London Transit before finalizing details such as the selected school, funding sources, and implementation methodology for the pilot project. On the other hand, Coun. Anna Hopkins stressed the importance of hearing from LTC experts, given her past experience as a commissioner.

Ultimately, after a thorough deliberation, council voted 8-6 (with McAlister absent) in favor of directing staff to develop a draft agreement with TVDSB and LTC. A final decision is slated for this summer.

Lewis addressed concerns about favoritism towards Clarke Road Secondary School, asserting that the school’s selection was made by TVDSB in February, independent of council influence.

Looking ahead, the London Transit Commission will receive a verbal report on the proposed pilot project during its upcoming meeting on April 24.

Lewis concluded with a firm message to commissions hesitant about supporting the initiative, highlighting potential public scrutiny and the likelihood of council intervention if necessary.