City: Strong Public Support for Light Rail
In a summary of this week's rapid transit public information centres, the city's public works department cited overwhelming public support for rapid transit with a strong preference for light rail.
By Ryan McGreal
Originally published in Raise the Hammer on May 10, 2008.
The city's department of public works just issued a press release summarizing the two public information centres it held this week on the Rapid Transit Feasibility Study (RTFS).
According to Jillian Stephen, the public works manager in charge of the rapid transit initiative, "We learned that there is strong support for transit improvements in Hamilton and light rail in particular."
The initial results from the comment forms are:
- 92% of respondents support rapid transit
- 68% prefer light rail
- 7% prefer bus rapid transit
- 17% have no preference
- 8% support a different rapid transit technology
Stephen noted, "There is a sense of urgency to ensure that Hamilton is included in the first cut at the Metrolinx five-year capital budget being released this fall."
As citizens, we need to do everything we can to ensure that the city has a very strong mandate to push ahead with light rail so that council can support it and seek funding from the province.
If you haven't yet, please communicate your support for light rail. The city is still accepting comments for inclusing in its next report to the public works committee until May 20.
To add your comment, visit the city's rapid transit website and download a comment form, send an email to rapidtransit@hamilton.ca, or call the office at (905) 546-2424 x1473.
