The recent world concerns with transmutable viruses bring back memories of the bus service at AECL and the lack of a need to “socially distance”. While not specifically assigned, most seats on the buses were occupied, in close proximity, by the same passengers, sometimes for decades. A newcomer was immediately spotted as someone who either stood up from their seat at the Plant before it was the turn of their row to disembark or someone who occupied the favourite seat of a regular. Deep River passengers who needed to take the occasional Pembroke-bound bus knew it was wise to wait and take a seat only after the regular Pembroke passengers were in their places.
The Nuclear Heritage group continues to collect many incidental artifacts that were an integral part of early life in the nuclear family. Recent additions have been samples of bus passes. Initially, NRC/AECL provided the only means to travel into the Plant property. As cars became more available and security concerns eased, some employees formed car pools and the need for individual bus passes came about. Thirty-six trip tickets were purchased which the bus drivers, each with their own distinct motif of punch, would cancel for each trip. Two punches of a Deep River ticket were needed for a Pembroke trip.
Eventually, private car usage increased so much that to keep the bus service viable, those wishing to use it had to commit to a payroll-deduction plan and were issued a photo pass. Norman Freedman recently came across a 1970s-era, fully used, 36-trip pass which he donated to the Society for the Preservation of Canada’s Nuclear Heritage Inc. Norm’s donation inspired Allan Symons to search for his 1990s-era laminated photo pass which now also sits in a display case at the Society’s temporary storage facility at 51 Poplar.
The Society continues to encourage the community to donate artifacts from the past. It also encourages past employees to include anecdotes and stories connected with these artifacts. Jim Ungrin at 613-584-3055 or ungrinjr@gmail.com will be happy to come around to collect any artifacts and anecdotes.
