Summary of the discussion and action items from the January 15, 2008 meeting.
Hamilton Light Rail / Hamilton Transit Users Group met on January 15, 2007 at 7:30 PM at the FRWY Cafe, 333 King Street East (at Wellington St. N.) Hamilton, ON L8N 1C1 (read the agenda).
The City's Department of Public Works hired McCormick Rankin Consultants to prepare a Rapid Transit Feasibility Study for two the Main/King and James/Upper James transit corridors. According to Public Works:
The study will identify opportunities and constraints related to providing rapid transit in these corridors, by reviewing geography/physical environment, natural and cultural heritage, economics, emissions, utilities and municipal services, parking and redevelopment opportunities. The Rapid Transit Feasibility Study will provide an overview of what rapid transit could look like in each of these corridors. Both BRT and LRT will be reviewed. The study will not make recommendations of one form of rapid transit over another; the decision of what form of rapid transit to pursue will be made by Council.
The study is due to be completed some time around the end of March.
One of the concerns raised is that McCormick Rankin may not be particularly qualified to perform a feasibility study on Light Rail transit. (Public Works claims that they are qualified.) Discussion turned around possible ways to ensure that the city has access to good information and sound resources.
The working draft of the light rail presentation was presented for review and suggestions.
The following suggestions were made:
You can view the latest draft of the light rail presentation here:
http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/light_rail_presentation_early_draft/
The City has serious concerns about the annual cost of operating the Red Hill Valley Parkway (RHVP). Debt servicing for the LINC/RHVP will by $12 million per year for fifteen years. In addition, the city must spend $2.6 million a year in operating costs for the RHVP and $6-10 million in lifecycle costs (setting money aside for future capital spending).
One city staff proposal is to toll the RHVP. A plan could charge $0.10 per kilometre to generate a net revenue of $14 million per year. Staff support this idea and some councillors are interested in studying it further, though other councillors are opposed.
TUG discussed whether it makes sense to request that some of this money be dedicated specifically to transit service improvements. Because the idea won't receive serious consideration until after the 2008 budget process, the group decided to revisit this proposal in the future.
Last year the city approved a one-year pilot project, starting in April 2008, to offer transit passes at 50 percent off the regular adult rate to low income working-poor residents who qualify.
The idea behind the project was to addresss the complaint that raising transit fares drives people out of jobs (since they can no longer afford to get to work). The Department of Public Works estimates that the January 2008 fare increase will produce a net $1.8 million increase in transit revenue.
The project will cost the city $500,000 for the year and provides funding for 800 people (out of approximately 25,000 who are eligible). It is not known what percentage of eligible people actually use public transit today.
The application process is still in development, but applicants will have to pick up passes at the main HSR depot at the GO Station. Their income will be means-tested based on the Low Income Cut Off (LICO). Also in development is a communication strategy so that eligible residents learn about the project and have an opportunity to apply.
The discussion around this project noted that adding another program, while welcome, is not a real solution, partially because the city spends a lot of money on the administration of its various piecemeal programs for low income residents.
Councillor Sam Merulla (Ward 4) has proposed that Hamilton make transit free. The issue is contentious even among transit advocates.
TUG discussed hosting a public debate (possibly co-sponsored by Raise the Hammer and Citizens at City Hall) on the merits of this proposal to raise awareness. It was agreed that the panel should include Councillor Merulla, as well as other participants to represent a variety of viewpoints for and against. Nicole MacIntyre was mentioned as a possible moderator (after the excellent job she did moderating the Richard Gilbert seminar on January 10).
Feasibility Study: Research some consulting companies with LRT experience and expertise to make available as resources. Focus, if possible, on other Canadian cities that have or are investigating light rail (e.g. Calgary, Waterloo, Toronto, Quebec City, Vancouver).
LRT Presentation: HLR confirmed to do test presentation with Hamitonians for Progressive Development (HPD) steering group on January 27.
LRT Presentation: Ask about presenting to Hamilton Industrial Environmental Association (HIEA).
Outreach: Register an HLR stall at the Upwind Downwind Conference in February.
Free Transit: Organize a public debate. Date, location and panelists to be determined, but tentatively slated for Monday, February 11 at the FRWY.
The next HLR meeting will be on Tuesday, February 19, 7:30 PM, at the FRWY Cafe, 333 King Street East (at Wellington St. N.) Hamilton, ON L8N 1C1.