White Rock should team up with Surrey and TransLink to improve the signage surrounding its transit hubs, according to a resident who spoke at city council last week.
Longtime White Rock resident Roderick Louis presented his case to council July 27, highlighting what he described as “abysmal” signage at the White Rock Centre bus exchange at 152 Street / Johnston Road, and along Marine Drive between east and west beaches.
“There is no signage at this bus exchange that tells you you’re in White Rock, or to tell you how to get down to the beach,” Louis explained, as he scrolled through photographs on a PowerPoint presentation.
Using transit hubs like New Westminster and Bridgeport stations as examples, Louis suggested the addition of maps, directions to points of interest and other relevant information – available in multiple languages – be included in signage at the bus exchange.
Pointing out that the majority of bus stops along Marine Drive don’t have schedules or information directing riders back to the town centre, Louis said much work needs to be done on the waterfront as well.
Louis said he feels the problem is a result of “the lack of a formal mechanism, such as a joint task force involving White Rock, Surrey and TransLink, to sit down on a regular basis and discuss these issues and make recommendations for what should be done.”
Following his presentation, Coun. Lynne Sinclair told Louis he raised “very good points,” and made a motion – carried unanimously – that council direct the issue of signage to the city’s tourism task force, a recently formed group of stakeholders, business owners and industry experts who are working to develop a Tourism Strategy for the city.
Louis later told Peace Arch News he was dissatisfied with the response from council.