I wanted to start a thread on London Transit, mainly dealing with future plans for the system. I don't know about you, but I am a little underwhelmed by London Transits future plans. They are talking about Bus Rapid Transit, but really it is just enhanced bus service. No right of way and no stations. Anyways, I thought I would share a letter that I wrote to our mayor, our controllers, city councillors and LFP editor and the responses.
Dear Annie Marie Decicco Best,
I wish to inform you that London, Ontario is once again "missing the train" by not planning right now for a rapid light rail transit system. Just look at every other city in Ontario our size or larger and you will find that they are in the planning stages and beyond in building rapid light rail systems in their cities. Take for example the cities of Kitchener/Waterloo/: this area has been planning a light rail system for several years now at the cost of $300 million. It will probably be in operation in five years or less.
http://transitea.region.waterloo.on.ca/
Where will Kitchener get the money to build this system, you ask? The province has committed to paying two-thirds the cost of building it and the province is asking the federal government to pay for the balance. That means the entire capital cost of Kitchener's light rail transit system will be paid for by the upper levels of government. Similar projects will take place all over the province in Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton and York Region. All of these projects are being funded by a government initiative called Move Ontario 2020.
http://www.premier.gov.on.ca/news/Pr...ProductID=1383
My question to you, Anne Marie, is this: When is London going to come up with a solid plan to build a similar system and why would you allow the province and federal government to build Kitchener a light rail system and not want the same for the citizens of London?
London Transit is in the planning stages of what they call a "Bus Rapid Transit" system. They are correct that it is a bus system, but "rapid" it is not. It is not rapid because it does not have "right of way" or dedicated roads for buses. It also does not have real station stops. The proposal I have read makes me embarrassed to be a Londoner and it will not get people out of their cars and onto transit.
I hear catch phrases used in our city such as "London is a creative city" and "London is progressive" and I have to scratch my head. The only London I know that is creative and progressive is the one across the pond.
Anne Marie, the time is now to start action on light rail. Gas prices are rising and Londoners want real solutions to our transportation problems. Tomorrow, the money will not be handed out by the province and the system we wish we had will cost four times as much. We lost out thirty years ago in building a proper expressway system (unlike Kitchener). Please ensure we don't lose out again.
Yours truly,
XXX
Response #1
Mr XXXX
Thank-you for your comments. As Ward 4 Councillor I would like to hear more about the funding by other levels of government. I think you should appear in front of the Environment and Transportation Committee to explain more. I will forward your email to the ETC secretary to contact you to set a time for your appearance if you are interested in speaking to us about this matter.
Best. Wishes
STEPHEN ORSER
Councillor, Ward 4
Response #2
Hi Stephen,
Perhaps Mr. XXXX would like to read the final report of the LTC Long Term Working Group's final report which will be coming before Council through ETC in the next few weeks. The report will also refer to funding from other levels of government and we, in fact, had a presentation from Kitchener/Waterloo last yaer about what they had done. Thanks.
Nancy
Nancy Branscombe
City Councillor - Ward 6
London, Ontario
Response #3
Dear Mr. XXX,
Greetings! Thanks for your note. Let me assure you, we have not missed the train. We are on top of it. It is a matter of timing, population, size and growth. We are getting there and are planning for it. As the Chair of the LTC I will refer your letter to Mr. Larry Ducharme, the LTC General Manager, who I noticed you copied.
If you wish to review our plans I or Mr. Ducharme or a member of his planning staff would be happy to review them with you.
Warmest personal regards,
Harold Usher, P.Eng., DTM
Councillor Ward 12
Chair London Transit Commission
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