A group of students at Aldergrove Secondary School are taking "leadership" on transportation and safety issues near and dear to their hearts.
The Leadership Team is a new class this year at Aldergrove Secondary and they have put their efforts into two initiatives — installation of a marked crosswalk and inauguration of a direct bus from Aldergrove to the University of Fraser Valley campus in Abbotsford.
Teacher Lara Petrie says the lack of a crosswalk has been an issue for at least 15 years.
The Township of Langley has been studying the issue and performed traffic survey counts in recent years. The cost to install the crosswalk is estimated at $20,000.
"The students have collecting petitions for a month or so and have collected 350 signatures in support," says Petrie, adding that TransLink is supportive of Aldergrove students' efforts on both this and the UFV connector bus issues.
The students have also put the 29 Avenue crosswalk survey on-line and are hoping that local residents will provide their feedback before the May 10 deadline. The survey takes a couple minutes to complete and can be accessed at www.surveymonkey.com/s/5FWYDNL and public support is very much appreciated.
The Leadership students at Aldergrove Secondary will present their request to TransLink and the Township to put in a crosswalk on 29 Avenue in Aldergrove for Aldergrove and Betty Gilbert students on May 14.
The Leadership students at Aldergrove Secondary are also presenting an initiative to TransLink to assess the community demand and need for a commuter bus to go directly from Aldergrove Secondary to UFV.
Petrie notes that between 50 and 60 per cent of Aldergrove Secondary graduates go on to attend UFV, due to the wide choice of programs offered at the one campus. Only about five per deny of Aldergrove students attend Kwantlen, as its programs are spread over three campuses.
However, it's almost a two hour commute, with two transfers, to UFV from Aldergrove but TransLink has said a direct bus would be considered if the demand can be shown.
Those in the community who want a bus from Aldergrove directly to University of the Fraser Valley are invited to fill out the survey at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/KR9LS52
The feedback for both issues will be presented on May 14 to TransLink and Langley Township.