Kitchener for LRT referendum
Posted May 27, 2011 04:48:04 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Kitchener City Council voted in support of a referendum on the Light Rail Transit question following a public meeting.
The City held the meeting Thursday night to get input on the Region’s proposed rapid transit plan. The reaction was fairly mixed with some in favour of the plan as it stands, and others suggesting going back to the drawing board completely.
Regardless of supporting the referendum idea, the City will play no legal role in the final outcome.
Derek Satnik with Community Renewable Energy Waterloo said his group would like to see an Aerorail system instead. He says, “It does everything light rail does, it does it for less than the cost of rapid bus…and it does a whole lot more.”
Tim Mollison with the Tri-Cities Transport Action Group repeated his pro LRT position, saying it would be a good thing for downtown Kitchener because, “without having to widen King Street, LRT will provide the opportunity to move 25,000 people per hour in a lane that is only usually capable of moving 500 cars.”
A number of LRT supporters said it would be of great benefit to the tech sector, including Desire to Learn CEO John Baker. He said not making the investment would mean, “…companies that are trying to choose (where to) situate (1000 to 2000) employees just simply won’t make the time to come to this community.”
There were concerns about the current plan from some residents, including the cost. Others felt the Region should have looked at more transit options.
The city has no say in the final decision on rapid transit. Regional council is the one making the decision and it has public meetings scheduled next week.
Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran supports the idea of a public referendum. She tells 570’s Jeff Allan Show her main goal is to have everyone’s voice heard.
Halloran says the LRT has been the most devisive issue she has dealt with as Mayor. More heated, even, than talk of almagamation and flouridation.
Halloran says she is being lobbied like never before and has recieved emails from everyone from university students to high-tech people.
Halloran’s call for a referendum will be debated at a Regional Council meeting on June 1.
The LRT plan would be biggest public works project since Waterloo Region was created in 1973.
