Elections
Do you support Hamilton's LRT proposal? If so, what will you do to ensure Hamilton's success in building LRT? If not, why do you oppose it?
Responses to the question: "Do you support Hamilton's LRT proposal? If so, what will you do to ensure Hamilton's success in building LRT? If not, why do you oppose it?"
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4 Candidate Responses (top)
| Ward 09 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Brief Response | Full Response |
| Clark, Brad | Yes | I support the LRT proposal provided the City of Hamilton does not have to contribute to the capital costs. I do not support the left hand turn restrictions along the route. The restriction is not necessary. We simply need to pass a by-law giving the LRT the right of way just like the TTC in Toronto. |
| Fiorentino, Nancy | No | Although I support the expansion of transit services and increased ridership on transit and note the many benefits of transit services to the residents, businesses, and the environment, I do not support Hamilton's LRT proposal at this time for the following reasons:
a) The capital expenditure for the LRT is very costly and will burden the taxpayer significantly. I do not believe or even remotely see in the future that the other levels of government will pay or assist in paying for Hamilton's LRT. With a capital cost of over $300 million dollars for a LRT line from McMaster University to Eastgate Mall, it truly is false hope to think that the Province will assist and then set a precedent to assist other municipalities with similar requests. b) We have an aging infrastructure that needs to be addressed first! What is the sense of putting down LRT lines (assuming that we can afford it) only to tear it down to fix roads or sewers (etc) in the near future. Not only will this cost the taxpayer more because we are doing things twice, but it will also disrupt commuters, transit services, and local businesses twice (or more) and until construction has been completed. Let's get the aging infrastructure that we all depend on up to at least minimum standards first, if not much better than that, and then we can talk LRT. c) A common misconception regarding the LRT is that it will eliminate the use of bus services. This is not the case. The LRT being proposed, is only for the main roads and routes in core areas. Transit services are still required in suburban areas that will feed into the LRT line. Therefore the cost of the LRT is not justified at the end of the day when it only is proposed in specific core areas of the City and not other core areas, and also it creates an added cost for transit feeds into the main line. d) There are transit alternatives to the option of LRT that require further review. Alternatives such as a Bus Rapid Transit service with a dedicated bus lane will enable an increase in the frequency of bus service per routes, and will also cost the City of Hamilton less than 1/3 of the cost of an LRT line. It will enable immediate action (in the short term) to take place to advance the interest of the transit user and assist local businesses in getting the customers to them. It will also enable the current transit buses to be used to their fullest capabilities. If money is to be requested or spent, then why not for added services to areas that are currently under serviced rather than using more money to simply place LRT only in core areas. We cannot forget about the quickly developing new areas of the City who do not have transit services at all. e) Timing. The LRT proposal will take many years to be fully implemented. We need to increase transit usage and ridership NOW! The LRT is not a short term solution and does not benefit the transit user in the immediate future. |
| McMullen, Geraldine | Yes | While I support Hamilton's Light Rail Transit Proposal it will be important to ensure that the capital costs are funded by the Ontario government. I will advocate for the LRT while it remains to be a benefit for economic development and urban revitalization and as long as funding comes through. |
| Mowatt, Andrew | Yes | Yes I support LRT. Hamilton needs to move into the future. I will work with council to make sure the other levels of government support and properly fund the project. |
Response Summary (top)
| Brief Response | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 3 | 75.0% |
| No | 1 | 25.0% |
| Maybe | 0 | 0.0% |
0 Candidates Have Not Responded (top)
Every candidate has responded to this question.
