Details of the proposal for north/south light rail are still emerging.

However, it appears that the cost for the construction of the line, the stations, the maintenance facility, the trains, and the extension to Barrhaven will be at least $900 million. This is roughly $200 million more than what council approved in the 2006 budget.

As changes have been made to plans for north/south light rail, I have become increasingly concerned that it is going from an extension of the O-Train to a mega project. Costs appear to be rising to the point where approving the proposal for north/south light rail means projects that serve other parts of the city, including Kanata, cannot be funded.

I am also concerned that the improvements north/south light rail is supposed to deliver are not there. For people using transit between downtown and Kanata, the trip through downtown is one of two bottlenecks. As the city grows, the problem will get worse.

North/south light rail was supposed to provide additional capacity and help speed up transit through downtown. Based on figures from the Request for Proposal, it will increase travel time by one-third.

If it is done right, light rail can help solve the transportation challenges facing our city. The capacity, ride quality and reliability all help encourage people to use public transit who would not consider the bus. Adding up the costs of the road expansions, that will be required, if we don't increase transit use, light rail has the potential to be cost-effective.

Unfortunately, the current proposal for north/south light rail appears to create more problems than it will solve.

For Kanata residents approving the current proposal for north/south light rail means a longer commute and a risk that funding for transit improvements in the west end may not be available. This is not acceptable.

Based on the information I have received I will be supporting efforts to delay the final decision until after the municipal election. This will provide a chance to look at what can be done to correct the problems with the current proposal and allow voters a chance to pass judgement. If it is not possible to get the final decision delayed, then I will be opposing the proposal for north/south light rail.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - JULY 7, 2006
NORTH/SOUTH LIGHT RAIL: OVER $900 MILLION FOR SLOWER SERVICE

Light Rail Update – After the Vote, July 12/06

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