By Pepper Parr
January 29th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
An update on the washrooms in the John Street Transit Terminal.
There will be no public washrooms.
Here is what we got from City Communications earlier today:
The washrooms in the John Street Burlington Transit Bus Terminal were closed to the public during the COVID pandemic. The facilities will continue to be for staff use only to ensure transit staff are able to take their health breaks and not impact transit service, in a safe and clean facility.
Public washrooms are available nearby in Sims Square, 390 Brant St., main floor (170 metres away) and Burlington City Hall, 426 Brant St., lobby (300 metres away).
Something isn’t quite right here.
There were two public washrooms before Covid.
When Covid changed the way we lived, the city made one of the two washrooms a Unisex washroom and one for Staff only.
That seemed reasonable
When Covid was seen as much less the threat it once was both washrooms were changed to Staff Only. and a plastic door with barrier graphics put in place.
The Gazette contacted the City Communications department and learned that the current status: Both washrooms would be for Staff only when there are just two people working at the transit station.
We kept having to get back to the Communications department.
In a recent survey on how people felt about the services the city provides it became clear that Burlington is a car centric city.
For people who have to use public transit who need to use a public washroom – tough luck.
The Director of Transit operations is reported to be holding a meeting at St. Luke’s Anglican Church on on Wednesday.
This really says so much about our city, staff and council, none of it good. Shameful, really.
One thing to consider is that the bus drivers need access to a bathroom during their stops at the bus terminal. If the drivers have to wait in line the buses won’t run on schedule.
Agree with this point, but any bus terminal needs bathrooms for passengers. We had it for years, if anything, they should add more then.
Seems like a bad or maybe a misinformed decision. When would both washrooms be used at the same time by staff.Can’t someone have the city relook at the decision?
I am a Municipal Councillor for 17 years up north where I own another property although my main residence is on Pearl street so I know the location well and also know well how inappropriate decisions are made. They are hard to overrule mainly because of pride and stubbornness.
Just saw a yellow shopping cart overflowing with some poor souls belongings parked outside ‘Coffee Culture’ Elgin & Brant could be picking up a ‘Cinnamon Honey Oat Milk Latte’ or using the washroom.