McMaster Students Union Endorses Light Rail

The McMaster Students Union has announced their unilateral support for a light rail transit system to be constructed as quickly as possible.

This press release was issued by the McMaster Students Union.

HAMILTON, June 17, 2008 - As the City of Hamilton continues to debate the direction in which they will turn regarding a new commuter transit network, The McMaster Students Union (MSU) has announced their unilateral support for a light rail transit (LRT) system to be constructed as quickly as possible.

As representatives of the MSU continue to attend city planning meetings and lobby municipal officials on the matter of developing an LRT system, they stand steadfast in their belief that an LRT network will do much to ameliorate the city of Hamilton.

Primarily, an LRT system will work to alleviate the traffic congestion that exists within the city, particularly at peak commuter hours. Moreover, the MSU feels that an LRT system will be a significant benefit to the students of McMaster University, who live off campus and must travel to attend class and work.

MSU President, Azim Kasmani notes, "by developing an LRT system in Hamilton, we will see a dramatic increase in the number of students choosing to buy and rent property in more diverse areas of the city. In turn, there will be a significant decrease in terms of town and gown issues afflicting the high- density student housing area surrounding the McMaster campus. In turn, we would see an increase in property values as students and landlords begin choosing to live in all areas of Hamilton instead of concentrating next to campus."

In the opinion of the MSU, a key component of any LRT designed must include a direct route through McMaster University. As a central hub for tens of thousands of Hamilton residents, including students, faculty, staff and support workers, McMaster must sit prominently as a major embark/disembark point, in order to reap the benefits of improved commuter access to the area.

Vice-President Finance Ian Finlay feels, "to begin this project, one of the main goals should be to construct the McMaster University to Gore Park stretch as quickly as possible. This will help with some of the current transit issues on this stretch, and it will serve as a good example to demonstrate the benefits of the LRT to the Hamilton community".