[All] Fw: Regarding LRT

[Robert Milligan]

Lulu et al.,

All good points with very much in common with my own publicly expressed thoughts but with few energy tech details — at least you were listening unlike some others.

Your public health thoughts were important — I have not mentioned this in my own researched LR articles. However, the current poorly designed LRT plan would.not improve environmental health nearly as much as is possible.

But you overlooked some key faults in the design of the current LRT plan which would lead to: greatly increased C & O costs, far fewer commuters attracted, road capacities more than halved and roads generally made more problematic, less intensification effects, businesses permanently impaired, a majority of Tri-city residents paying extra LRT taxes in tough economic times but receiving few benefits, etc. 

Overall we are currently stuck with an LRT plan that will do far too little for far too much $ — an un-smart approach that would tarnish Waterloo Region’s pioneering innovative image at a time when we are trying to recover from Blackberry’s degradation. 

The many LRT supporters are insufficiently constructively critical to our community’s great disadvantage. These supporters should keep in mind this modified Biblical expression, “Forgive them Father for they do not sufficiently know what they support” (Sorry John).

Like so many others, I too support an LRT project but only the current plan if some essential modifications are made — far beyond the RE changes that you and I agree on.

Best.
Robert

PS: Please keep in mind that the LRT project was "never intended to improve (public) transportation [former CAO Gerry Thompson]  or " to be a people mover” [RC Jim Wideman]  — unlike all other transit systems  in the world that were created to improve their transit system by moving people better.This is RMW’s unique innovative idea for project success. It certainly merits a special Nobel Prize for unsurpassed technological brilliance.

A pandemic of selective LRT blindness+ that seems to have infected a susceptible few in WR — beginning with Ken & Gerry's 2001 LRT vision — continues unabated to this day!



On Feb 11, 2014, at 11:02 PM, Louisette Lanteigne <butterflybluelu at rogers.com> wrote:

> 
> 
> On Tuesday, February 11, 2014 10:59:51 PM, Louisette Lanteigne <butterflybluelu at rogers.com> wrote:
> Dear Council members
> 
> Here is a letter to the editor I submitted to the KW Record regarding the LRT. Thought I would relay to you for your reference. I do support the project.
> 
> 
> LRT: Legacy of Resilient Transportation 
> 
> Light Rail Transit systems are electric and can be powered by solar, wind and hydro. With Ontario having to sell surplus energy, projects like our LRT can provide renewable energy storage capacity saving taxpayers money. 
> 
> In reducing emissions, the LRT can reduce the illness costs of smog saving on Regional healthcare.
> 
> Each Train can carry 5 times more passengers than a bus: less drivers to move more people. Again, tax savings. 
> 
> LRT's do not require tire changes, tune ups, paving of roadways needed to function. The life span of a bus is 15 years. The lifespan of LRT is over 30. Again, tax dollars saved.
> 
> Waterloo Region's water supply comes from groundwater. Unlike buses, LRT's don't require road salts. Less pollution, less water treatment and associated health care costs. 
> 
> In the age of climate change we could see physical disruption of oil supply or massive price swings. Investing in an LRT is a great way to bypass long term economic risks so we can offer mass transit at reasonable, predictable prices. 
> 
> Although some say they won't use it, the investment now would be a stitch in time that saves nine. We all need clean water. We all need the clean air no matter where in the Region you live. If oil supply chains are disrupted, we need choices to adapt and it's cheaper to build the system now, than it is to delay. 
> 
> Louisette Lanteigne
> 700 Star Flower Ave.
> Waterloo Ont.
> N2V 2L2
> 
> 
> 
> 
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