Every time Houston resident Anan Qaddumi travels to Detroit — something he does a few times a year — he makes it a point to hop on the Tunnel Bus and cross the Canada-U.S. border to spend money in Windsor.
But after a majority of Windsor city councillors failed to overturn Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens' decision to eliminate the bus service, Qaddumi said this weekend’s trip to Windsor will likely be his final one.
“If it’s a big headache driving across the bridge or tunnel, then we probably just won’t come here anymore,” said Qaddumi.
Council voted 6-5 Friday to overturn the mayor’s veto of a recent budget amendment that would maintain the Tunnel Bus service.
However, Strong Mayor Powers granted to Dilkens by the Ford government require a two-thirds vote, meaning council needed an 8-3 vote to overturn a mayoral veto.
In late January, council voted 7-4 against Dilkens’ budget proposal to kill the tunnel bus. Instead, to generate more revenue, councillors agreed to double the fare to 20 dollars per trip.
Shortly after the vote, Dilkens suggested using veto powers for the very first time to overturn that decision.
Qaddumi, one of a dozen people waiting for the 1 p.m. Tunnel Bus to arrive at the Windsor International Transit Terminal on Saturday, said exploring Windsor is part of his experience of visiting Detroit.
“The gifts I’m taking back to my kids are from Canada. They’re not from the U.S,” he said. “We, in Texas, like Canada,”
The Tunnel Bus has operated since 1922, shuttling passengers between downtown Windsor and Detroit.
The decision has left many longtime riders in disbelief.
“I’m in shock because it’s always been here,” said Sheila, a Windsor resident who said she has been using the Tunnel Bus since 1958.
“I rely on it. I have family over there.”
For some, the loss of the Tunnel Bus will have an impact on their daily lives.
“My nephew studies at Wayne State University and uses the Tunnel Bus daily,” said Bashar Abdelrazeq. “Without it, we’ll have difficulties reaching the university.”
Others see the cancellation as an obstacle for commuters and travelers.
“I have a plane to catch in Detroit. Plane tickets are much cheaper in the U.S.,” said Rafi Sourchi, who lives in London, Ont.
“It’s easy. It takes five minutes under the tunnel.”
Some passengers remain hopeful that another option will replace the service.
“They must have their reasons for stopping it,” Sourchi said. “Hopefully, there will be a plan B.”
During Friday’s meeting, Dilkens said the service will continue for another six months.
