History and background on Hamilton Light Rail.
Hamilton Light Rail was launched after a September 24, 2007 meeting hosted by Environment Hamilton and Raise the Hammer to discuss the possibility of bringing light rail to Hamilton.
The Ontario Provincial government offered $300 million dollars to Hamilton to build two rapid transit lines. During the 2007 provincial election, the Liberal Party indicated in press releases that these rapid transit lines would be light rail.
However, the city's Higher Order Transit Network Strategy [PDF] dismisses light rail as a possible future enhancement to its commited strategy of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).
BRT is cheaper to build and more flexible than light rail, but that is where its advantages end. Light rail, by contrast:
Councillor Brian McHattie attended the meeting and explained that the city is taking a "go slow" approach to transit. A group of attendees from the meeting decided that Hamilton needs a more visionary, ambitious approach to development than minimal improvements that are proven to produce minimal results.
We formed Hamilton Light Rail and the Light Rail. Right Now. campaign to educate Hamiltonians about the many benefits of light rail, provide evidence-based reports and resource materials, and build broad support across all sectors of the community: citizens' groups, neighbourhood associations, business groups, and trade associations.
Hamilton deserves better than a "go slow" approach to our future. Cities that embrace sustainable transformation have made the leap to light rail and are reaping vast rewards.
Learn more about light rail, become a member, and help create a brighter, cleaner, and more vibrant future!
The Hamilton Light Rail website was designed by Trevor Shaw and coded by Ryan McGeal, with input and ideas from Sean Burak.