Comment 98221

By flamberian (registered) | Posted March 05, 2014 at 22:14:59

A very expensive plan with a typical "build it and they will come" mentality. An LRT to the Airport is a non-starter as it is. Often the only person on the current A-Line bus at the airport bus stop is the operator. Study after study have shown the B-Line already has the ridership for LRT, costs less to operate than an equivalent level of bus service, attract new development and a multitude of spin-off benefits. Yet, as one councilor put it, only "enlightened" people support LRT. The Mayor claims to be enlightened, but clearly doesn't get it, either. Admittedly, BRT makes more sense on the mountain, due to ridership patterns, and the technical challenges of running LRT up the steep escarpment grade. The only merit the Mayor's plan has is it would solve that problem, but it's a problem to consider in the decades after LRT is running across the lower city.

Waterloo Region's works committee approved their winning LRT bid yesterday, and it goes to their council on March 19th. Shovels could be in the ground by the end of this summer. Waterloo is paying one third of the cost, which will add just $11 annually to the average property tax bill. It hasn't been an easy fight their, either, but they have enough politicians on their council that can look beyond the initial price tag towards the substantial long term and quality of life benefits. Hamilton is losing its touted competitive advantage because of its day-to-day EcDev thinking.

A rare urbanist living in Flamberia, Hamilton's rural north polar region. Author of Hamilton: Brutal Beauty, Hidden Heritage.

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