All Statements of Support
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Marc Skulnick says,
I urge all levels of government to commit to funding and pursuing LRT for Hamilton. I support LRT for Hamilton 100% and urge city council to recognize the positive financial impact of LRT on the city. We cannot afford NOT to do this. Please bring LRT to Hamilton and help make the city the centre of innovation, development and vibrancy it deserves to be. We're on the cusp of something special. Let's make it a reality. Thank you!
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Hamish Shea-Pelletier says,
Are we deadbeats or working for a better future ?I say, clean the air in this town and make it a livable city .LRT removes cars and buses (danger ,noise and pollution)from a pathway that can now be safe for young and old to cycle ,walk or skate on.In time, this can work as a signal to bring even more good people to call Hamilton home.
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Sean Morrison says,
Light Rail Transit in hamilton is vital to rebuilding the downtown area. Mass transit is important to provide a fast, effeffective means to bring people into the downtown area, there by stimulating stores to want to be downtown. As we have seen with so many other citys, a healthy downtown assists in revitilation. Hamilton needs light rail Ttransit!
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Kevin Hollingworth says,
Even though I live on the east mountain, the chances of me taking the LRT system is low. However, being a former downtown resident, I still fully support the initiative and would definately support any tax increase directly associated with proposed rail line. I am a Civil Engineer working here in the City and fully understand the net benefit the system would have for the entire City of Hamilton, not just those properties along the proposed LRT alignment.
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Hugh MacLeod says,
Dear leaders,
Hamilton was public promised a fully funded rapid transit system by a Premier and MPP during the throws of the last provincial election. Apparently we had to vote Liberal to keep this plan afloat, preventing the Conservatives from killing this billion dollar project.
Now 4 years later it feels like Hamilton's Light Rail Transit has been shelved in manner that has the most horrible optics.
The illusion of a priority switch was created by our mayor's office. The unilateral decision to pursue all day GO (which we need), and dismiss Light Rail Transit (which we need even more) was made outside of the regular decision channels. At no time did my elected councilor get to vote on the shelving of LRT. At no time was this highly advertised change in course discussed by our elected council. Tragically this usurpation of process was endorsed by our Premier while an entire city, and elected council, ogled in shock.
Toronto is enjoying more than $9 billion dollars in transit development from a shared pot while Hamilton has received NOTHING. All day GO is wonderful and fully supported but it represents a capital expense for Hamilton. The Metrolinx Light Rail Transit is more important and represents a billion dollar investment in Hamilton. All day GO is something attached to Light Rail Transit, there is no reason to pit one against the other.
So it appears that the Mayor's unilateral action, and the Premier's support of this action, is an engineered way for the province to escape from a fabulous promise. A fabulous promise that could transform our city. If our council rejects light rail that is fine. If there is no money for light rail that is fine, but less fine. But when light rail is shelved by the apparent collusion of our Mayor and Premiere that is not fine. The fact that our Mayor is publicly standing with Liberal Candidates does not help this perception. The optics are very dark, if not completely opaque.
So to correct this I ask that our Premier, local MPPs, Mayor and councilors stand up for the promise made to an ailing city. If we our council rejects the committed investment, so be it. The way it is being handled now darkens everyone's view on the entire decision making process.
Hugh MacLeod, BPE, MD, CCFP
owner The Staircase Cafe Theatre
Hamilton ON. -
Ian Brisbin says,
I strongly believe that light rail is a truly transformative opportunity for the city of Hamilton, and for the entire Golden Horseshoe area. Given the transportation pressures that exist throughout southern Ontario, a viable, sustainable transportation alternative with mass appeal can only help to continue the momentum that is building in downtown Hamilton.
I fail to understand why all-day GO service, to move people in and out of Hamilton, should be given precedence over LRT which would serve to move people within the City, rather than each being considered to be complementary prongs of economic development planning.
I hope and trust that the key decision-makers at each level of governement will give appropriate consideration to the benefits that are sure to flow to our City with the introduction of LRT, hopefully in time for the 2015 PanAm Games.
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Kathryn Wrong says,
Help Hamilton prepare for the future!
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Catherine Cox says,
Having grown up in Grenoble, France, I witnessed how LRT can transform a city in just a few years, making it far easier to get around quickly and enhancing the city's atmosphere. I truly hope that Hamilton will be able to benefit from this modern form of transportation in the near future - please support LRT for our city!
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Laura Cattari says,
Please make sure we proceed with LRT in Hamilton. The economic spin offs of this development will ensure intensification, sustainability and prosperity in Hamilton. Developers are waiting on it and the Hamilton Real Estate Board supports it fully. This project will generate much needed jobs in Hamilton as our unemployment rate drop is directly proportional to Ontario Works caseloads rising. Please do not let this project fall by the wayside, this is critical.
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Jay Parlar says,
I believe LRT is the best chance our city has to create positive momentum. For too long, those in charge have been content with a slow decline of the city's core. LRT is a gamble, but if it pays off, it will rejuvenate the core, connecting the west-end and McMaster with downtown. McMaster is the centre for innovation in Hamilton, and a dedicated transportation link to the school can only benefit the core.
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Nicholas Kevlahan says,
LRT has the potential to transform and revitalize Hamilton by attracting development, protecting the environment and improving the city's image nationally and internationally.
Metrolinx and City staff have done numerous feasibility studies that have demonstrated the advantages of LRT over the alternatives. They have also engaged in unprecedented public consultation, and have documented overwhelming public support for the initiative.
In 2007 the provincial government promised to build two LRT lines in Hamilton. This promise must be kept.
The 30% engineering design and Environmental assessment will be finished by the end of the year. In January 2012 Hamilton's LRT project will be shovel ready.
Now is the time for the City and Province to work together to make LRT a reality in Hamlton!
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Adam King says,
An LRT network would be an immense improvement to the urban fabric and impression of social and economic vibrancy of Hamilton
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Meredith Broughton says,
For Hamilton to continue moving forward, we need the efficiency and intensification this type of transit brings. This is a prerequisite for many types of growth here.
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Patrick Brennan says,
I recently invested $$$$$$ in commercial property on King Street West in Hamilton. I believe that light rail development will aid the redevelopment of neighborhoods along the full route. In particular, the food/beverage and entertainment industries grow when transit is comfortable and available. I have visited many cities in Europe during their transition to light rail. In these cities I saw the quick redevelopment of neighborhoods around the transit lines. So in the UK, Europe, and major cities in the US LRT projects started in the 1990's. It is time to get going in Hamilton!!!
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Ryan Moran says,
The decision to champion LRT is one of the most important issues facing the current City Council. Here Council has a very real chance to not only make amends with mis-steps of the past, but to leave behind a legacy that can truly transform this city into the Hamilton that it can be.
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Heidi VanderKwaak says,
Just spent 2 weeks in Portland Oregon with awesome transit and bike paths, lanes and trails. More people out of their cars and healthier than ever. Safe, efficient, economy boosting, convenient transit is what we need. No longer a subsidy for the poor but let's get everyone out of their cars more and develop our downtown instead of letting it lie in ruins.
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David Kuruc says,
Hamilton needs Light Rail. I can't think of another city project that could connect and unite so many people and neighbourhoods. Sustainable. Innovative. Forward thinking. It's about time we shifted Hamilton into the future.
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Kevin Miller says,
I think that Hamilton needs LRT. I live in the lower city and take the B-Line to work every day. LRT would provide the needed service improvements to make the trip more enjoyable. Also, I believe that LRT can be the catalyst for growth in downtown that this city needs.
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Matt Grande says,
Are we seriously still debating this? TWO feasibility studies, one municipal and one provincial, have shown that the B-Line can support, and NEEDS an LRT line. Let's get it done!
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James Scarfone says,
I support LRT for Hamilton. I want our city to take the next step in its development. We are so close and many would argue we are there. LRT will show our citizens we want a better future for Hamilton. LRT will prove to people and businesses considering a move that we care about the future of the city.
We care about being prepared for the flight back to urban cores. We care about attracting a youthful and educated workforce. We care about companies that want to be part of a city with a vision. We care about environmental sustainability by encouraging efficient public transit use.
LRT has proven to be a boon to cities everywhere. The evidence is overwhelming that it can transform an urban area and reduce sprawl. It encourages development and attracts a young, skilled and educated workforce. I am young, skilled and educated. Though I live here, I do not work here because the opportunity is not there. Yet. I aspire to work in my hometown.
We deserve LRT and the benefits it will bring. Why can't it work for Hamilton?
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Nick Warzin says,
To those it concerns:
Surface light rail is the connective tissue of a healthy city. This is demonstrably true in many European cities, in some American cities, and in nearby Toronto's downtown.
Many of those American cities that abandoned surface rail are researching its return. Surface rail is widely accepted as good city building. It raises values, it inspires new growth and development, and it makes areas far more inviting than similar networks of buses ever could.
Hamilton was built on its street railways. They were removed by Canada Coach Lines--a bus operator who purchased HSR--at the same time many streetcar networks across North America were removed. This was a self-serving business decision that had nothing to do with efficient people-moving or sound city building. See this Wikipedia article for details:
The Great American streetcar scandal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_American_streetcar_scandal
Hamilton, like many American cities, lost its most efficient transit network most unfairly, and, some might say, many areas of Hamilton still have not recovered. Hamilton deserves better than this.
Hamilton has a tightly-knit urban core, and would benefit hugely from a surface rail network. McMaster would benefit with easier access to downtown, as well. This could be the turning point what many see as the continuing decline of Hamilton.
Please support a fixed rail transit network in Hamilton. In times of fiscal uncertainty, investment in infrastructure is one of the safest bets, and it would benefit the city immeasurably for decades to come.
Thank you.
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Matthew Green says,
I consider people, our most valuable asset and one only has to look to our congested streets and overrun buses of our current system to know it's failing. The movement and flow of people through the city of Hamilton will no doubt add to vitality, growth and prosperity of our community.
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Brian Evans says,
LRT is not just a bigger bus to move poor people around town. Its the kind of higher order transit that gets people excited about their City. It gets people who otherwise wouldn't use public transit to reconsider how they commute to work or around town.
More importantly it sets the City on a path to capitalize on a future where the cost of owning and running a single car is all the typical family can handle. I don't foresee a future where my children each have their own car for driving around. My teenage children will have to share the family car and investments we make now in public transit will make it possible for my family to have reasonable transit opportunities in the future.
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Andrew Durman says,
We need a large capital project. LRT is it, the numbers from other cities don't lie. If we build it they will come. Push for it agree to it and you will see the developers come out of the wood work. Property values along the proposed route will climb as they are snatched up and flipped. The amount of secondary jobs and monies that will flow into Hamilton is the real long lasting reward. Don't let the Province off the hook take their check lets go buy some shovels. Mayor Bob and Mr Clark need to wake up before they are run out of town on a rail.
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Kathy Drewitt says,
The Downtown Hamilton BIA is very supportive of the concept for LRT and will be making a submission to the GIC for October 13th.
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Jason Leach says,
I live in Hamilton and am pleased to be raising my young family in the heart of the city. We've seen new vibrancy slowly return to our neighbourhood in recent years, but now is the time for the city and province to fully commit to propelling Hamilton forward as a successful, growing mid-size city with an unparalleled quality of life. Much has changed in our society in the past 50 years. Oil prices continue to rise and the next generation is in love with urban mobility options. Hamilton has trained many of the brightest minds on the planet in recent decades, but has seen far too many of them leave here upon completing their schooling.
It's time to commit to LRT along Hamilton's East/West corridor. -
gord stephan says,
I strongly urge the Ontario government to follow through on their committment to bring light rail transit to Hamilton. This would be a large step in reducing gridlock, pollution and contribute to the economic well being of a city that has been majorly affected by the economic conditions of the past 20 years.
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Andrew Carreiro says,
LRT in Hamilton is an absolute necessity. Hamilton is a strong & proud city, and we need to support its growth. We can't keep stifling it through endless debate and money wasting schemes.
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Marvin Caplan says,
LRT will help move us into a more sustainable future.
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Paul Sousa says,
The time is right for the city of Hamilton and the Province of Ontario to work together to make LRT a reality. The transit corridor on King/Main is perfect for an LRT line and has enormous potential to be transformed and rejuvenated by the development that this type of long-term investment will spur.
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