UNIVERSITY

STUDENTS COUNCIL March 21, 2017

Office of the Vice-President

Dear Your Worship and City Councillors,

Recently the University Students Council, an organization which represents over 30,000 undergraduate
students, passed a standing policy on transit in the City of London. The USC has worked extensively with
City Council to determine a route which meets the needs of the entire London community while also
meeting needs of Western students. Young people have shown that through increases in transit usage,
there is a shift towards more urban lifestyle preference. A comprehensive rapid transit system would
provide our city the opportunity to unite in a shared vision for the future of London.

A revitalized transit structure has the potential to bring our city together, connect people to jobs, allow
students to venture out of the Western Bubble to connect with the London community and showcase
all that the city has to offer. In general, young adults aged 18-35 prefer living in smaller households
which are near transit amenities.1 We must ensure that rapid transit routing has the capabilities to serve
a large majority of Western students, who currently encompass the largest transit ridership
demographic in London. In order to achieve this, London City Council should continue to support the
proposed routes which operate across all of Westerns campus, the affiliate colleges, and is able to
effective move students throughout campus.

The process for discerning whether rapid transit was right for our city was extensive. Consultation with
multiple stakeholders, including students and community members, were used in the creation of this
business case and rapid transit proposal. Similarly, the case included a routing system that was
identified as being the most beneficial to students and London as a whole. The original routes were
chosen as the best option to increase economic, social, and environmental impacts within the City of
London.

Overall, students support the proposed rapid transit route for the following reasons:
Current routing will service students who live throughout the entire greater near campus
neighbourhood, including Richmond Street and Western/Sarnia Road
Routes provide increased access and efficiency to Londons entertainment centers and
amenities for students and community members. Locations may include Old East London,
Downtown London, Dundas Street, the Thames River, Wortley Village, and Masonville Place
Efficient and effective travel provided by rapid transit allow young adults to seek more urban
lifestyle preferences provided by downtown London, growing the downtown population and its
tax base
Young adults will see an increase in economic opportunities and social inclusion by creating
strong linkages to Londons innovation centers

Routing which does not operate down Richmond Road would leave over half of the greater near campus
neighbourhood population over 2 kilometers and a 25-minute walk from Rapid Transit. Additionally, it

1
From gentrification to youthification? The increasing importance of young age in delineating high-density living. Markus Moos 2016

To enhance the educational experience and quality of life for all undergraduates at Western University.
would be a great disservice to not ensure that St. Josephs Hospital is easily connected to a rapid transit
artery.

London is a growing and prosperous city for students. A reliable and efficient transit system
serving all of Western would allow students the ability to connect and explore a City which showcases
great potential for interdisciplinary thought and learning outside the classroom. Bus Rapid Transit
is the essential next step in fostering youth engagement in crafting London as a world-class city for
research, innovation, collaboration and learning. It is imperative that we create a system that is
easier for student mobility, both on campus and in London, so that youth can continue to drive
innovation in our city. We believe that, by allowing BRT along the proposed route, we can foster a city
which continues to support the learning, development, and retention of Londons youth.

The highest priority of our organization is to ensure that the quality of life for undergraduate students is
being improved whenever and wherever possible. This is a monumental decision, and one that intensive
research, time, consultations, and discussions have gone into making. This is a decision that London, and
the University Students Council does not take lightly. However, it is the right decision, and thus we will
continue to show our support for the proposed plan, routes, and timeline.

Regards,




Jamie Cleary
USC Vice-President

To enhance the educational experience and quality of life for all undergraduates at Western University.