There's very little that promises to be as transformative to this city's fortunes -- its image, its collective self-confidence and its economic development -- as a quality light rail transit system.
By Robert Howard
Published as an editorial in The Hamilton Spectator on June 30, 2010
It's not just petty impatience driving Hamilton's hunger for an answer, and funding, for our proposed light rapid transit (LRT) system.
This week, Waterloo received $300 million from Queen's Park to build LRT; Hamilton is still awaiting word from the provincial Metrolinx transit agency whether it will recommend light rail or bus rapid transit, (a.k.a. BRT and, frankly, by far the lesser of the two options) for this city.
Waterloo, unlike Hamilton, is not part of the Metrolinx mandate, which is limited to the GTA and Hamilton. Hamilton LRT advocates say we're better off as part of Metrolinx because of the value-added aspect of an integrated regional transit system. That's all true.
But Hamilton, unlike Waterloo, is expecting thousands of international visitors to come to our city for 2015 Pan Am Games competitions. Light rail transit should be in place in time for that.
It seems ironic that Waterloo and Ottawa -- both outside the mandate of the much-touted arm's-length provincial Metrolinx agency -- are proceeding with LRT projects, while Metrolinx decisions on Hamilton, seen as a prime candidate for light rail, languish.
At this point, it seems unlikely a Metrolinx decision on whether Hamilton should even get LRT will be seen before early 2011. When funding would be allocated is unknown. That, it seems from here, shows a remarkable and disappointing lack of urgency or even enthusiasm.
We've said it here before and we'll say it again now: There's very little that promises to be as transformative to this city's fortunes -- its image, its collective self-confidence and its economic development -- as a quality light rail transit system.
But a close second may be Hamilton's role in the Pan Am Games and the major events scheduled to be held here.
Premier Dalton McGuinty refuses to link the 2015 Games with LRT approvals and funding, which is unrealistic and disingenuous. Moving people to and from Pan Am venues will, by nature of the world-class events, demand transit upgrades.
The Games seem a long way off while the city and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats still debate sites and business cases for a Pan Am stadium. But there are only four construction seasons between now and the Games and one, perhaps, two, of those would be occupied by design, engineering, land acquisition etc. before a shovel goes in the ground.
How many times have finance ministers, premiers and cabinet ministers said: "This is Hamilton's time" or words to that effect? How many promises have been made to Hamilton and never fulfilled?
Hamilton deserves and needs sooner-rather-than-later provincial LRT approval and funding, and is ready to take advantage of the opportunity.
This city been the wallflower at the provincial dance, while Toronto has played belle of the ball, for far too long.
This can be Hamilton's time. LRT and the Games could do it. It's up to McGuinty and his government to start the ball rolling.