All Statements of Support
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Peter Margetts says,
I don't think Hamiltonians understand that this $1B is our tax money and is already dedicated to improving transit to Ontario. If we don't get this money, it will go to Burlington, or Oakville, or Kitchener, or to GO Transit. I think people envision that if we say no to LRT, we will somehow still get this money - either through tax savings or other transit projects in Hamilton. If we don't ask for our tax money to come to Hamilton, it will go somewhere else in the province.
This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest in our city. It will be a very sad day if our city councillors don't have the vision and courage to take advantage of this.
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Tom Flemming says,
Improvements in public transit are a necessary part of the future of this city. As we grow, we cannot fail to embrace that future completely. Forward, with the LRT!
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Patricia Reid says,
Please do not side bar this important decision to have Light Rail transit for Hamilton. We can not afford to lose a vision pf a Hamilton that is modern, efficient and environmentally sound.
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Shelly Fabrizio says,
Please let the LRT run in Hamilton. not only will it help citizens, it will help tourists
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Joanne Leach says,
Please take the time to learn from cities like Portland and Vancouver. LRT has revolutionized those cities.
If we turn this down we will continue to be known as the city that says no
Let's think progressively.
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Meghan Quinlan says,
As someone who's lived in Scandinavia, where public transit is the norm, light rail is a no-brainer. When public transit is more convenient, reliable, and cost-effective than driving a car (and this project will make this happen), there is a massive shift in commuter culture. In Oslo, it's considered strange to drive a car to work. Most people take light rail, buses, or trams, and enjoy a faster and more relaxing trip in doing so. You can buy a ticket through an app on your phone and activate it through your phone screen, and an annual pass costs a tiny fraction of what it would to own and maintain a car/ car insurance.
The only thing holding us back is people's irrational attachment to cars, bolstered by the aims of the car/oil industry. What many people assume to be a social necessity (cars) is really a North American cultural anomaly. If anyone were to spend time outside of our North American bubble, they'd see that the age of the car (and its congestion, pollution, and lower passenger safety) is over.
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Stephen Hayes says,
Council should be trying to expand the project with federal government infastructure money rather than rehashing stale outdated arguments. ..
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Kelly Greenaway says,
As a Hamiltonian, I am proud to say that this city is growing and improving we are expanding to create efficient public transit Moreover, the LRT will allow Hamilton to compete globally in the labour market and public transportation initiatives Let's make LRT a reality
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Mmabatho Seete says,
I am grateful that Hamilton is finally a place to work, live, and play because my son didn't have to return to Toronto, where he graduated from University, to find employment. As a family that depends on public transit we were sure to make our support for the LRT known as it goes without saying that Hamilton without LRT betrays the development the City says it wants. Like many young people, my son now lives and works downtown and it is disappointing to see the project at risk. The lack of foresight and progressive thinking from some councilors has been shocking. Please do not derail Hamilton's progress.
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Jesse Matties says,
To City Council, MPPs, Premier Wynne, and local provincial candidates:
Please do not let divisiveness shape the future of Hamilton. Other cities in Canada (i.e. Vancouver) are having difficulty raising funds for their transit; what incredible fortune that ours is 100% funded! It would suck if our transit kept stagnating because our leaders couldn't work together.
Thanks.
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Chris C. says,
My wife and I are both young professionals, she works in medicine & I work in software, who moved to downtown Hamilton because we were attracted by its affordability and dynamism. It is truly exciting to see the city's downtown develop and grow.
Furthermore, we truly got the sense that the city was committed and on track to develop in a way that reflected a positive urban environment to live in: walkable, good public public transportation with access to amenities and culture.
Sadly, there appears to be a great divide between what the city aspires to be on paper and the political reality of implementing those ideas (even when they are very attainable).
We have lived throughout the country , and the world, and it seems like elements in the city are stuck in a time warp as far as urban planning goes.
If one of the goals is to attract talented, high earning knowledge workers to live in the city, then good transportation like the LRT is key. Believe it or not, even though some of you might not care or feel that way, people like us do and it is a factor in choosing where to live for almost all of my peers.
I hope you take this opportunity to move the city forward and not back! Please support the LRT!
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Andrew Hibma says,
LRT will be a critical turning point for our city, a great equalizer that brings people together, making transit not just the option for those with less income, but the best option for everyone to get across the city. Council, don't pass up a once in a century opportunity to transform our city. Build a better Hamilton for everyone. The century of the car is about to end, let's set a new urban design goal for the next 100 years.
Sincerely
Andrew Hibma
Executive Director, New Hope Community Bikes -
William Harvey says,
Just stop dithering & get on with the LRT for Hamilton.
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Bob Hanley says,
Please, don't let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity get away from us.
Take the money and move this city forward. -
Gloria Geller says,
I would like to add my voice to the great need in the city for much better transit. This opportunity cannot be missed. As I look down the road in a very few years when I will be totally dependent upon public transit, it is essential that Hamilton joins that rest of the world in ensuring that light transit rail, in particular, be available. You too will reach a time when you will be looking for better choices for travel within the city and around the province and beyond.
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Nicholas Kabitsis says,
I think this would modernize Hamilton and make transit systems easier to travel within the city. It would propel Hamilton into the future.
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James Michener says,
I was excited when I found out Hamilton was going to get an LRT. I am much less excited when I found out Hamilton might not.
An LRT will go a long way to removing the negative stigma associated with Hamilton.
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Melissa Deutsch says,
I am really disappointed in the councillors who are putting this plan's future in jeopardy. What (it seems like) they fail to recognize is that although the LRT corridor does not run through their wards they will reap rewards. As someone who commutes via public transit to a job in ward 9, although I live in ward 2, I realize that shaving time off of my commute would either a) allow me to spend more time with my family or b) work additional hours so that I am not just getting by. When making these important decisions please consider not only the opinions of the residents but also of the business owners and their employees. After all, these employees from other areas of the city help make those suburban communities more vibrant and enjoyable.
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Don Pullen says,
I do NOT support the LRT. It is a waste of money. It does not create the number of long term jobs promised. It will not benefit the environment since we will still need the same number of buses of get to either ends of town. Plus cars will still be used - they will just avoid downtown killing lots of businesses. If LRT was such a good idea, what happen to the old rail lines? Hamilton is not set up to effectively use a rail line like Calgary was. Metrolinx has already indicated that if it runs over budget, then it will scale back the project. Once we commit to phase 1, we are committed to all phases at a huge expense because we (Hamilton) like to keep throwing good money after bad. The only beneficiaries are the property developers along the line.
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Tanya Ritchie says,
The case for light rail in Hamilton is an obvious one. It makes sense fiscally, socially and ethically. It will be good for people across the whole city. Those Councillors now attempting to muddy the waters ought to be ashamed of themselves. It is the height of irresponsibility, and a divorce from their duties as representatives of this city. To squander this opportunity would be a mistake our city will regret for generations.
Please see sense, as soon as possible.
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Dafna Bener says,
Looking in all the world advanced and successful cities, they all have a subway or lrt system. Not only that all these cities get more businesses around the lrt areas.
We all know traffic gets worse every year in everywhere. In 20 years hamilton will be like toronto today,but may be without lrt. This will be disaster and will cause many bankrupcies...
I understand the concern to businesse but they will not do well if no lrt in the future...
The traffic we will experience with lrt building will be way less than what expecting us in 20 years, also 1 billion takes a huge burden off..
So stop being picky on every detail, we are being offered so many good offers that other cities accept and develop it is about time to accept to develop too.. I am a ready citizen, and i also live and drive at lrt areas daily to work i am ready for traffic... As it is important for the city,s future.... -
Marnie Burgess says,
I am strongly in favour of LRT in Hamilton. It's time to move forward!!!
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Gaynor Low says,
I strongly support LRT for the city of Hamilton.It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for Hamilton to gain momentum for vibrant growth. It's the big picture for future generations that naysayers that fail to understand. Please don't miss out on this billion dollar investment - say yes!
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Gaynor Low says,
I strongly support LRT for the city of Hamilton.It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for Hamilton to gain momentum for vibrant growth. It's the big picture for future generations that naysayers that fail to understand. Please don't miss out on this billion dollar investment - say yes!
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Rod Latner says,
Lets get rolling on this. The City has been promised full Gov't funding for The LRT. Don't blow this deal.
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Anne Warne says,
Please, please, keep LRT on track. Our newly revitalized city must go forward not backward to attract more newcomers and young entrepreneurs & families! This has all been decided. Do not put your heads in the sand. Stand up for our city please!!
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Andrea Torchia says,
Dear Council, We are being given money to use and if we don't use it we loose it. I'm for the LRT and as are many Hamiltonians. We need to improve our city making public transportation more efficient in all areas across Hamilton and its greater area! We all will benefit from improving our transportation system. There has been already much planning and it is now time to finalize the plans and vote "yes" to the LRT. Metrolinx is giving us a wonderful paid opportunity not only toward a better transportation system but will also bring employment and businesses to Hamilton. If you are struggling with this decision why not let the people of Hamilton make this decision and hold a referendum, which would be a democratic resolution. This will allow people to have a voice and assist in making the right decision together. I also encourage council to move forward with the right decision, which is to build the LRT! We need it, we planned for it, and we will benefit from it!
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Derek Hrynyshyn says,
Dear Mayor Eisenberger:
Please do everything you can to make sure that the LRT plan is approved and moves toward completion as soon as possible. Please do let Hamilton make the mistakes that other cities have made not planning ahead and creating a transit system before the city gets developed in a very dense way. The time to build transit is now, when there is an opportunity, and not later when it is much more difficult and expensive.
Thank you. -
Birgit Mathieson says,
Please stay on course with LRT. I think it will greatly improve the city. We have a good city that could become great
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Ken Burlock says,
Historically inititives such as the LRT have had dramatic impacts on our City.
The Linc/Red Hill roads is a perfect example. I remember as a child in the late 1950's being told that a highway was planned for the Red Hill Valley. It may have taken a long time but it has transformed the City.
I believe the current LRT plan is just the beginning of another major transformation. For those who do not expect to use it themselves, they fail to realize that it is just a start and will impact the transit system throughout Hamilton.
The future will likely see extension further east and west for starters. Once the success of the LRT is realized, a similar initiative for north/south coverage of the City would further accelerate the growth of Hamilton.
The potential to be a major player in all of Canada depends on Council to look at the longer term (as with the Red Hill/Linc project). The LRT can be the impetus for Hamilton's future growth. Hopefully all members of the Council have the imagination to see just that!!
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