Statement by Ivan Kotchoubei

To Whom It May Concern,
I would like to implore the municipal leadership to take decisive action in favour of LRT development. This is a once in a generation type of an opportunity that it going to have a tremendous positive impact on the development of the city. The fear mongering around the operational costs are overblown and exceptionally short-sighted when compared to the benefits of such incredible development.
Positive outcomes:
- further real estate development around the core of Hamilton and beyond, thus leading to higher values and higher revenue for the city.
- a development of this size signals to industry and individuals that the city is open-minded towards transformational change and revitalization.
- improvement in the overall image in the region, as Hamilton has started to fall behind Kitchener/Waterloo region.
- attraction to young people, who are much more excited to live beside an LRT rather than a BRT. Had the councilors done their research, they would see that BRT doesn't carry the same multiplier effect as LRT when it comes to economic development and aesthetics. Studies show repeatedly that when it comes to a lifestyle choice, very few residents want to live beside a BRT route. This doesn't mean that BRT can't be an option elsewhere in Hamilton, but it is false economy to build BRT in the heart of the city.
- As shown by K/W region, the perception of the constructed LRT has been overwhelming positive by the local residents. Furthermore, the proposed LRT will reinforce the connection within the various part of the city and beyond.
- Keystone investments often take place in the heart of the city, because they need to be of a transformative size. The spillover effect will undoubtedly percolate through the entire region. Thus, simply stating that folks on the mountain or an ancaster can't use this transit therefore it's a no go decision are incredibly dumbfounding and once again short-sighted in nature. We build bridges even though not everyone gets to use them. This is several times of a magnitude.
- think about the current list of cities with LRT and then think about whether Hamilton wants to fall behind in its development behind all of these cities?!It is simply incomprehensible!
Edmonton, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Waterloo, Brampton, Mississauga, Toronto, Montreal, Gatineau, Quebec City.
- for anyone still doubting the benefits of LRT, I urge you to review the report published for Waterloo's LRT
https://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/ION-Story-Fall-2016-access.pdf
where the benefits of LRT are explicitly called out as being underestimated. The ability of this type of project to have an urban and economic development is absolutely dramatic.
- Lastly, I leave you with the below rude response from one of your fellow councilors that isn't grounded in facts and simply aims to purport the rhetoric of misallocating the tax dollars. It is infuriating how factually incorrect is the summary below.

>>>>>>> Yes but your expecting city taxpayers will be paying for a service that even the Auditor General of Ontario said there is not a business case. We must be prudent with taxpayers money. With a ridership of only 444 peak hr peak direction and only 1500 peak hr peak direction is projected at 2031 we are well below the minimum threshold of 2000 peak hour peak direction the minimum entry point. Canadian urban Institute only projected less than a one percent assessment growth after full build out along the LRT corridor. That is equivalent to 8.8 million dollars a year in new taxes. The true cost for the LRT has been reported above three billion dollars.
>>>>>>> This does not help all residents of this great city. Let’s build a transit system that is electrified lower our carbon footprint and still have money to implement and creating a robust transit system for all Hamiltonians. Currently there is no no business case no transit case for LRT however a few like you might make a killing. I get it however I am looking out for the interest of all taxpayers . I can show you a staff report that says 80 percent of the LRT corridor infrastructure still has eighty years life left. Three study’s suggest that this is a white elephant and yes those who are blinded by the light think it great. I have challenged the Mayor for a public debate so residents could be well informed he refused . The spec endorsed before all the numbers were in like like 3.7 billion cost. The annual operating maintenance and life cycle cost over 30 million annual more than have our total trans budget. I was alway taught. if you have a dollar try an get as much for it as possible thats how you achieve value. No value for the LRT ! When it’s time we can put in autonomous virtual train that runs on virtual rails much more dynamic than the dinosaur LRT. Not one study that I have read agrees that their is a net economic benefit for the city for LRT in fact more value for BRT. One study stated there is no net economic benefit uplift to the city with LRT. You will get some development in the corridor but it does not result in a net benefit because it only take away from other locations within the city. Have you not been reading about the OTTAWA experience not running because of the snow. People living along the corridor use to have peace and quite now even with windows closed are dealing with significant noise. The units values have been devalued according to residents. Would you invest in that kind of return? Respect your position as you can see I and majority of Hamiltonians disagree several poles have confirmed this.

>>>>>>> Thanks for listening.
>>>>>>> Facts Matter!

>>>>>>> Respectfully,

>>>>>>> Councillor Terry Whitehead

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