Statement by Moaz Ahmad

Dear Councilors

You may be surprised to see a comment from a resident of Mississauga, but I am confident you will understand my reasoning by the conclusion of this statement.

Years of studying public transportation and urban planning have shown me that decisions in each of our GTHA will have impacts that are both regional and GTHA-wide. It is important that residents of Hamilton and the councilors who represent them, make the wisest decision to reap the greatest local and regional economic benefits for Hamilton..

This is not a question of Rapid Transit vs. LRT. Hamilton must in fact make investments in both improved local public transit and the LRT, instead of rejecting both by favouring the 10 Year Transit Strategy.

This requires a local commitment from the city of Hamilton to go along with the provincial commitment to cover the capital costs of the LRT. Hamilton must expand bus service and introduce all 5 routes in the BLAST network, not as "Rapid Transit" wkth separate right of way, but as improved, distinct, "Quality" Bus service.

Introducing the BLAST network in one go, (following the process used by York Region's VIVA, Waterloo Region's iExpress, Brampton's Züm, and the Metro Rapid of Los Angeles), will give residents and public transit users throughout Hamilton a renewed sense of confidence in Hamilton's transit and Hamilton's future.

While this commitment is made locally, Hamilton will be able to take advantage of the provincial investment which can and should be dedicated to the construction of the proposed LRT.

Choosing to invest in both the BLAST express bus network and the LRT, and following best practices from cities throughout North America, will send a very positive message to investors and job creators that Hamilton is committed to creating a community that lives, moves , works and thrives.

Yours sincerely, Moaz Ahmad

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