Efforts to reverse Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens’ tunnel bus decision are brewing as the cross-border service’s hopes of remaining on the road dwindle.
On Monday afternoon, Dilkens announced he would veto council’s decision to maintain tunnel bus service, citing “uncertainty” amid the threat of tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump.
At least two petitions have been initiated to demand Windsor City Council members vote to reverse the veto.
Former Windsor resident Alim Nathoo launched his petition, which calls for Dilkens to “put politics aside,” and keep the tunnel bus.
“The tunnel bus is a great way where Americans and Canadians can share the same neighbourly values and explore each other’s countries,” Nathoo told CTV News.
Nathoo previously used the tunnel bus to visit the Detroit Historical Museum. Without it, Nathoo, who doesn’t have a vehicle, would be unable to visit Detroit at a reasonable price.
The now Mississauga resident was left “disappointed” with the mayor’s decision as the bus can serve as a “vital link” for attending events.
As part of his decision, Dilkens noted he could not bear “subsidizing” the Detroit economy with the potential for 25 per cent tariffs.
“I don’t buy it,” Nathoo said.
“Because he was upset about the ten paid sick days that the bus drivers have.”
Since starting the petition on Monday afternoon, Nathoo has amassed more than 130 signatures. A similar petition echoing the calls to save the tunnel bus has received support from more than 100 people.
“Detroiters fund our economy when they cross over here. We fund their economy when we cross over there. So, this is a neighbourly relationship that both Canada and the United States have had,” Nathoo said.
Nathoo would like to see the city collaborate with the City of Detroit or local businesses to secure sponsorships.
While the city hopes to maintain the license for the tunnel bus, Nathoo is fearful if the bus goes out of service, it may never return.
“The way I look at it is once a service has gone, there is a likelihood as well that that service will be permanently cancelled, and there’s a possibility that the license will no longer be renewed,” he said.
As of Thursday, city council will have 15 days to call a vote on Dilken’s veto decision. In order to overrule the mayor, it will require at least 8 members of city council to vote against the veto.
In the event the vote fails, Dilkens stated there is no timeline for when the tunnel bus would officially cease operations.
