Posted Jan 13, 2016, 7:46 PM
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BANNED
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 10,743
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thomax
Hamilton Community News - Gondola idea gaining popularity as transit link up and down Niagara escarpment
Part of Hamilton's Transportation Master Plan discussion
By Gord Bowes | January 13, 2016
A composite illustration imagines a cable car gondola over Sam Lawrence Park on the edge of the escarpment.
During the 2014 municipal election, mayoral candidate Crystal Levigne’s gondola idea was mocked in many corners.
But her out-of-the-box idea for a new transportation corridor up and down the Mountain hasn’t gone away.
In fact, the idea may be picking up steam.
Nearly half of the 50 or so people who responded at Transportation Master Plan public meetings last summer said they liked the idea of a gondola, said Steve Molloy, who is heading up the review of the plan for the city.
“Whether it is gondolas or incline railways, what we’ve identified as part of our process is there’s a need to make better connections between the Mountain and the lower city,” he said.
“What it looks like, that’s to be determined. The key point here is there’s a need to better connect the city through the escarpment. How do you do that? The technology is up for debate.”
The city is updating its Transportation Master Plan from 2007. There is a survey running until Jan. 29 — which includes a question on gondolas — on the city’s website (hamilton.ca/TmP) where residents can provide input.
In the spring, the draft plan will be revealed at a public meeting, said Molloy.
“You’re still going to have to run a couple buses up the Mountain but it’s going to lessen the fuel costs and wear and tear on the buses,” said Levigne.
It will also save transit users a lot of time.
Levigne said while living on the central Mountain, it would take her brother 60 to 90 minutes by bus to visit her, even though he lived just below her in the lower city. Taking a bus to a gondola stop and coming straight up the Mountain to catch another bus for a short ride, rather than going out of the way through the core, would be much more convenient, said Levigne.
The gondolas should also have room to transport bicycles, the Stoney Creek resident said, and they would be a nice tourist attraction.
In her plan, she proposed setting up three gondola stations, located on the east, west and central Mountain.
East Mountain councillor Tom Jackson said the gondola idea comes up from time to time, but basic infrastructure needs are “still paramount with me.”
Cycling and commuting opportunities, along with trail improvements need to be looked at ahead of “charming, nice-to-have” ideas such as a cable car on the escarpment, he said.
“I’m still pushing hard for a greater number of HSR routes — better running times, extended hours, extended routes on the Mountain particularly,” said Jackson.
“The gondola for me can be part of the conversation as the city does this huge master transportation plan review, but ultimately it will come down to dollars and what the public feels is the greatest priority with limited resources.”
West Mountain councillor Terry Whitehead did not respond to requests for comment.
With the renewed discussion, Levigne said she feels some vindication after being the butt of jokes during the election campaign.
“I really hope they do implement it,” said Levigne.
“I hope it’s part of the grand master plan and if they do install it, I get to cut the ribbon.”
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Not an overly bad idea.
They are looking at doing this in Burnaby to service SFU
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