All Statements of Support
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Graeme Luke says,
The proposed LRT will make an important contribution to the livability of Hamilton. Every city that I've visited with LRT is a joy to move around in and has lots of great development along its route. Time for Hamilton to move forward.
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Jeremy FReiburger says,
I really don't understand why we're even debating this anymore. Our urban core is densifying. I can see 5 condo projects from my office window. We know that all of these people are not going to drive, and that effective and efficient transit is a must have to support growth.
Hamilton has to stop thinking of itself as a city stuck in 1950. We're moving on folks and its time fro modern public transit.
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Don Holland says,
We need it now !!!'
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Jonathan Dalton says,
I have followed the LRT debate in Hamilton with great interest since the formation of Hamilton Light Rail in 2007. I attended several of the City's public meetings and have written Council several times to express support. It's hard to believe it's been the better part of a decade and City and provincial leaders are still going in circles on the issue. It has been so long, many of them may even legitimately have forgotten their own studies and votes in support of LRT.
The facts haven't changed. Light rail in Hamilton will be a much deserved improvement for thousands of transit riders and a crucial investment in the future of our city. The HSR has been allowed to languish since the 1980s while our population has grown, gas prices have risen, people have begun moving back to urban areas and other cities everywhere have grown their transit ridership. Hamilton must stop planning and living in the past and move towards a 21st century transportation system. For our city of over half a million people, this means a higher level of transit than buses.
I live and work in the downtown area and do not own a vehicle. Doing so means more money is spent locally rather than wasted on ongoing car expenses. I live this way by choice not necessity, and there are many others who prefer to live this way. This potential is wasted when our city refuses to invest in higher order transit. People will instead move to other cities which provide diverse transportation options.
Four years ago, Hamilton was at the front of the line for investment in LRT. Thanks to totally absent leadership, we have since accomplished nothing while Toronto received billions in provincial funding.
Whether or not we deserve it, Hamilton has been given a second chance with the majority election win of the same government that promised us LRT funding not one, not two but three times. Please don't blow the chance again.
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Patricia Reid says,
Please make LRT a priority. We must make mass transit a priority and get as many cars off our city streets. Not just to remove congestion but cut pollution emissions as well.
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Martin Lessard says,
It's time for us to make some smart social decisions in Hamilton, especially when it comes to transportation in the city. The bike share that is starting this year is a welcome addition to our transit strategy as is the LRT.
We need a cost effective, dependable,and safe way to move citizens around our beautiful city. The present system is unreliable, inefficient, and unwelcoming.
Hamilton has always been a car city. With large multi-lane streets to drive across the city and a small population with little to no real rush hour traffic (until recently.) When parking downtown became a nuisance, and limeridge mall was built, Hamiltonians abandoned our city's core for new developments and easier access. Our city centre is now finally gaining attraction again, and the LRT will help our downtown core, our city, and our region reach their potential.
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Liz Passmore says,
Hamilton already has such a terrible reputation, especially compared to nearby municipalities. I hear Hamilton compared to assholes and armpits, and I'm ashamed to live here. We need to show people just how amazing Hamilton is, and an LRT system is a great way to do that. It will help Hamiltonians for decades to come and really catapult us into a better light.
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Anne Warne says,
Hamilton's increasing it's viability and livability with rehabilitated neighborhoods and so many other positive initiatives so let's continue the positive progress and economic growth by supporting the LRT.
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Jennifer Brasch says,
As a kid, my parents brought me to Hamilton to shop at Eatons', Miller's and the music store in the Lister Block. As an adult, I have worked in Hamilton since 1992. I was shocked at the decline in downtown Hamilton when I began working in the city. It has been exciting to watch the revitalization of the downtown core, to see new businesses, restoration of the Lister Block, and all the new construction. LFT is an extension of the development and growth in Hamilton. Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive long-term impact it will have on the city and the benefits to residents. We need to move forwards with LRT!
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Aleks Stosich says,
The Hamilton of my childhood was a beautiful, exciting, optimistic city. I want that kind of Hamilton back. Decades of being strung along by GO Transit for full service have left me skeptical, but the Province can show its commitment to this major urban hub by supporting this LRT initiative. Hamilton has been, historically, a city of firsts, of leadership by example. Let the LRT be another example for Canadian cities to emulate. Support the LRT!
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Adele Wilson says,
I supported LRT when the public engagement campaign was first undertaken and that support has not changed. If anything the increased development and optimism within the lower city of Hamilton makes for an even stronger case for an LRT system.I would suggest that most of those that supported LRT back then feel the same way.
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Maureen Wilson says,
Considerable research demonstrates that investing in a LRT system for Hamilton makes economic sense for our city's future. Due process has been followed. I fully support the construction of such as system, as proposed, for my city of Hamilton.
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Ross Godsoe & Tim Mattioli says,
The Ambitious City. Coined in the 1800s, this Hamilton moniker has resurfaced in the past few years and is an encouraging sign that our city is ready to boldly tackle the 21st century challenges it faces. Along with other deindustrializing cities in North America, Hamilton is discovering that success relies on a combination of factors: a diverse economy with job opportunities, quality housing and vibrant, livable neighbourhoods. First and foremost, a successful city must be one in which people want to live.
Hamilton is a city on the rise. We're attracting attention from all sectors and our economic development department has been busier than ever, but there is still much work to do. Our property taxes are high, our downtown is still in recovery and the city is still trying to move beyond its industrial past.
We need to be forward thinking in our plans for the future, and we believe that light rail is one of the best ways to achieve many of the city's goals. These include continued revitalization of the downtown core, intensification along main corridors, further economic development and a broadening of the tax base.
That's why in 2008, the REALTORS Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) took an official position in support of light rail. In the six years since, our position hasn't wavered. This is because, even in the early days, it was apparent to us that this is more than just a state-of-the-art transportation system, it is an investment in the future.
The City has been studying LRT since 2008, and study after study has concluded there will be a return on investment for the B-line. The City's own Rapid Ready report provides some very positive numbers, with the following financial benefits from LRT:
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Catherine Cox says,
LRT makes perfect sense for Hamilton, today, for its future - it is THE way of the future... Every time I travel back to France, I am more and more convinced of this. Build LRT in Hamilton NOW!
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Ashley M. Chabot says,
Comprised of an aging population, revitalization of Hamilton is dependent upon attracting younger, income-earning persons looking elsewhere than Toronto to establish themselves. LRT is just one of the many ways in which Hamilton can attract young professionals to the area. It should not be overlooked in favor of bus lines with little sustainability in comparison with that of LRT, offering little to the renaissance Hamilton is currently undergoing.
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Tom Ciancone says,
I have followed the debate in the Hamilton Spectator over the years. Sometimes it is hard to filter out fact from fiction. However, taking all things into consideration, I would support the LRT proposal.
Over 30 years ago, I was in Bern, Switzerland. What amazed me most was their use of electric trains. Bern was a clean and very liveable city. I see the Hamilton issue larger than just transit, I see it as City-Building. That is why I accept the community development argument over the affordable transit argument.
Please use your political will to bring LRT to Hamilton.
By the way, I use the GO Transit to go to Toronto. It's great! However, this is a different issue. Hamilton needs to have it's own internal transit system to improve both the community and the environment.
Sincerely,
Tom Ciancone
Ward 8, Hamilton Mountain -
Stephen Reza says,
Hamilton has traditionally been a city on the leading edge of industry and community development. I believe LRT is an opportunity that, if implemented now, can very positively affect Hamilton's future appeal within a regional context and to the world.
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Brian H says,
LRT is a project that can accomplish many different things in one fell swoop. The funding provides immediate jobs in the area, with all of the residual effects of money earned, and spent, locally. It helps to ease transit issues which exist in the city. The encouragement to step out of our vehicles and assume the responsibility of public transit will be one mitigating factor impacting our environmental footprint. Lastly, it is a better connector between the reaches of the city that what currently exists. This becomes an issue of equity, fairness, and economic justice. LRT has been promised. LRT is something we desire for our city.
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Alex Zafer says,
It's time to make a commitment to the future of public transit for Hamilton. LRT is a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform our city! People prefer rail over bus, the ridership is already there and will only increase further. Time and time again studies show the positive economic uplifts that come from LRT when implemented in cities throughout North America. Why would we be any different? The benefits far outweigh the initial costs. LRT is a proven force for densification and developer investment. It is transformative. The environmental benefits alone shouldn't be ignored. Hamilton
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Dave Kuruc says,
As small business and property owners in the downtown, my wife and I truly believe that an LRT running east-west can be a truly transformative and beneficial project to renew and strengthen Hamilton.
A project like this requires vision from our leaders and citizens to move Hamilton into the future. As someone once told me "not only will LRT move people across the city - it will also move ideas." Those fresh, bold and brave ideas are what will help make Hamilton a more amazing place to live. We owe it to our kids and our future citizens to build sustainable and innovative transit solutions.
LRT is one piece of the puzzle. Let's do this Hamilton!
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Teresa LaFave says,
We can't make the same mistakes Toronto and other cities have made over the past decades. We have a chance here to look forward and plan for the future. Hamilton will continue to grow, we must plan for the population growth. The downtown must be user friendly and transportation initiatives will "pave" the way for growth. The gas prices are moving people from their cars to walking, biking,and public transportation. Let's take this and run with it. The provincial government made the promise, they need to keep the promise and we/our politicians need to look forward and get this LRT done now. We don't need to look back in hindsight like Toronto is now and say shouldacouldawoulda....
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Kristin Reynolds says,
The future growth and success of our city depends on sustainable transportation. An investment now in LRT will help ensure that Hamilton becomes the livable vibrant city we want it to be.
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Graham Crawford says,
Call me old-fashioned, but I respect people who honour their promises. The Ontario Liberals promised 100% captial funding for LRT. They need to follow through and honour their promise.
Council promised (voted unanimously) to support LRT if the Ontario Liberals honoured their promise. I suggest both elected groups do the right thing and begin working together to build LRT in Hamilton now, not decades from now.
This is about so much more than just modern, efficient transit, although that's not a bad goal on its own.
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Pamela Lindeman says,
Let's concentrate on connecting Hamilton neighbourhoods rather than being defined by individual neighbourhoods. A united Hamilton will be a stronger Hamilton. And cleaner, more efficient public transit makes sense towards that goal. Start with the B-Line. We deserve to have promises kept by the province.
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Bill Mehlenbacher says,
It's time the Province keeps its promise and fund the total capital costs of LRT, now is the time , it will not get any cheaper.
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Sean Hurley says,
Today, in Hamilton, transportation infrastructure is much as it has been for three quarters of a century. Roads dominate the landscape and cars dominate the roads.
Back when this infrastructure was being constructed, it likely made some sense as the city organized around manufacturing in the north and a growing, sprawling city all around.
However, the writing on the wall is becoming clearer. Every day has news reports on the impacts of climate change and the consequences of failing to mitigate and adapt.
Meanwhile, throughout North America, demographics are also changing. The migration to the suburbs is slowing and ending and a reverse migration back into cities has begun.
Car sales are slowing as a new generation of young people prefer being connected to being isolated in gridlock. Increasing numbers of new workers want what urban centres offer: walkable, cyclable neighbourhoods, restaurants, entertainment, community centres and activities all within easy reach of an efficient transit system.
This trend is far more likely to intensify than slow down. And one of the drivers of this change will be additional costs, both public and private, of addressing climate change. Whether we care to admit it today, there will in coming years be a price on carbon.
This additional burden will drive up the cost of living including commuting and it will push more people, and their employers, into existing urban centers that offer reliable and efficient public transit. Cities that do not have such transit systems will be playing catchup investing in infrastructure made more costly through the premium added by the price on carbon.
Investing in fast, efficient, and reliable public transit is an investment in the future.
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Jason Raynor says,
Hamilton real estate in old Hamilton (non-mountain) is slowly on an upswing due to people from Toronto choosing to buy in Hamilton. Along with influx of new residents we need to improve the cities transit infrastructure and help promote business renewal along the East / West corridor. An LRT line is the key to accomplishing this. Is it going to be expensive? Yes. Is it going to cause traffic congestion in the short term? Yes. Change is difficult but it needs to be done and in the end it will benefit and revitalize of the East / West old Hamilton corridor. Hamilton is a great place to live and many people are starting to realize this but we need new infrastructure in old Hamilton to keep the outside investment ball rolling.
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Marc Skulnick says,
I wholeheartedly support LRT in Hamilton. I think it is vital to the next phase of city building and will help Hamilton capitalize on the momentum which has been building over the last five years or so - the economic benefits of LRT are well documented. Council's position, which supports LRT for the city, was unanimously approved, despite what Mr. Bratina keeps saying publicly, and I'm sure, behind closed doors. I take the bus daily to work and I see the crowded buses and the obvious need for LRT. I will be using it and I urge you to commit to LRT for Hamilton. Thanks!
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Ian Brisbin says,
I wholeheartedly support the implementation of LRT on the B-line. I can't begin to contribute any statement that could approach the value of the considerable volume of empirically-driven work done by others. That said, I believe that LRT is a transformative opportunity for the City and look forward to hearing that after so many fits and starts, we will be proceeding with construction.
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Willem de Ruijter says,
The City's Rapid Transit Report Recommends LRT.
The province has promised funding.
Hamilton's citizens need a reliable and healthy transportation alternative.
Our economy needs the stimulus that LRT provides.
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