[GREN-Exec] LRT Presentation

Wed Jun 3 23:41:46 EDT 2009

Hi John,

We had a number of comments as you have probably read. The only strong
naysayers were Randy and Sandra. I don't expect consensus on every issue
we're faced with. I've included a few "tweaks" that were suggested by some
GREN members, so is this a go?

Susan K

Grand River Environmental Network Position on Proposed Region of Waterloo
LRT/BRT

Population growth, global warming, traffic gridlock and air pollution are
all driving the need for change in how we live, work and travel, not only in
Waterloo Region, but in the world. 

The Grand River Environmental Network recognizes that increased public
transit is an effective and efficient means to deal with many of these
pressing issues. After much research, deliberation and debate, we have
agreed to support the Light Rail Transit proposed for the Region of
Waterloo. We encourage the Region to go even further to encourage people to
change and reduce the use of inefficient, gas guzzling, polluting and
land-use destroying private vehicles.

The following outlines our support, our recommendations and an attempt to
dispel the misinformation and concerns GREN members have encountered in
public forums. 

GREN Supports LRT

GREN sees the LRT as the spine of a much-needed upgrade to Waterloo Region's
public transit system. No system is ideal, no system is cheap, but we expect
the LRT to:

1)       Provide a safe, clean, sustainable and affordable move away from
private car use

2)      Meet the requirements of the Provincial Places to Grow Act for urban
intensification. This will benefit rural, as well as urban, areas of the
Region by preventing urban sprawl. With the firm countryside line and
countryside protection embedded in the Region's Official Plan, LRT
intensification in the urban core helps protect farmland and water recharge
areas outside the cities.  

3)      Seamlessly integrate with other modes of transportation - GO, inter
and intra-city buses, VIA, walking and biking

4)      Help create vibrant, dynamic urban centres, making it easier and
more convenient for people to live in a sustainable manner.  (take out:
where it is easy for people find it desirable, convenient and affordable to
live in an increasingly sustainable manner with a dramatic reduction in the
use of cars. prevent urban sprawl and waste of urban space with massive
parking lots and road systems by)

Cost

The projected cost of $790 million for the 11 km of LRT and 13 km of adapted
BRT (Bus Rapid Transit - no separate bus lanes) will be shared by the
Regional, Provincial and Federal Governments.  As of this date, the
Provincial Government is pledging two-thirds of the cost. 

For matters of comparison, an upgrade to buses without the LRT comes with a
price tag of almost $600 million - only 23% less than the combined LRT/BRT.
Much of the opposition to the LRT makes no mention of how costly an upgraded
bus system would be. 

To help put the cost of the proposed transit system in perspective, the
addition of just a couple of lanes for a distance of less than 4 km. of Hwy.
8 to the 401 is almost $80 million. Three km of sewer system work from
Westmount to Fischer-Hallman on Erb St. is costing over $20 million.

The City of Toronto opened the first leg of its subway system in 1954,
running 7.4 km from Eglinton Ave. to Front St. The final cost was $67
million in 1954 dollars. The population at that time was approx. 680,000.
The Region of Waterloo has a population of 506,800 (2006 StatsCan + RoW
estimates). Calgary launched its LRT in 1981 when it had a population of
593,000. Few Calgarians could imagine their city without their fast,
efficient transit system that is even free in the downtown core.

Annual operating costs for the LRT/BRT are not expected to exceed $23
million/year while operating at rapid 15 minute intervals, a fraction of a
Regional budget expected to surpass one billion dollars annually.

Recommendations

The proposed LRT/BRT route should:

1)      Connect to current, long-standing, large employers and the
universities

2)      Include parking lots and kiss and ride at ends of line, (e.g. ,
similar to Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Kipling Station kiss and ride interface
with TTC in Toronto)

3)      NOT be a license for unlimited Regional growth beyond capacity or to
profit land speculators

4)      Include a stop at VIA train station with BRT to Waterloo Regional
Airport and Conestoga College

5)      Extend to and have a stop at the Sportsworld Greyhound station and
any proposed GO stations for ease of intercity travel

6)       Include an LRT extension through Cambridge, if not immediately then
by a specified date 

7)      Include a BRT line to Elmira

8)      Include a stop at Iron Horse Trail and provide a secure bike lockup
facility

9)      Include a BRT, preferably an LRT line, to Guelph rather than
spending $300 million plus on a new Highway 7

10)  Be powered by clean, renewable energy (e.g., Calgary's wind-powered
C-train, City of  Toronto's commitment to clean, renewable power)

To support ridership and the success of the LRT, we also recommend:

1)      Free access. Public transportation, just like roads, are built and
maintained by tax dollars. We do not pay tolls to use our roads; we should
not pay to use public transit. The more that people use public transit the
more that the whole community, including car drivers, benefit.

2)      Going upscale - plush, comfortable seating, WiFi connection,
fold-down worktables, beverages

3)      Frequent service with minimal wait time for connectors

4)      Public/private partnership to provide taxi-buses (e.g,. Rimouski
Quebec) on less busy routes, rural and suburban feeder routes so all people
in the region can benefit from the LRT - not just those living in the core

5)      Reliable service seven days a week and in the evenings

6)      A route that includes business, retail, academic, etc.

7)      Wheelchair and stroller accessible and bicycle friendly

8)      Utilizing existing rail lines where possible

9)      Reconfiguring current rolling stock routes to seamlessly integrate
with LRT/BRT

10)  Eventually allowing only pedestrian, LRT and service/delivery traffic
on downtown King Street in Kitchener/Waterloo 

In Conclusion

The Region of Waterloo has the opportunity now, with support from both the
provincial and federal governments, to raise the bar and create a
world-standard setting transportation system that can do more than just move
people. Indeed, without it, it is difficult to envision a healthy,
sustainable future for our community.         

The Grand River Environmental Network supports the LRT proposal. We will
continue our ongoing efforts to ensure the highest possible quality of life
for our citizens and be a proactive voice for the environment in the Grand
River watershed.

From: executive-bounces at gren.ca [mailto:executive-bounces at gren.ca] On Behalf
Of John Jackson
Sent: June-03-09 11:22 PM
To: GREN Executive
Subject: [GREN-Exec] LRT Presentation

Where are we at on a GREN position on the Light Rail Transit thing? I
haven't registered to speak because I didn't know if we had an agreed-to
position on the matter. Do you think we now do?

I need to know right away since I have to register to speak some time
Thursday. If we don't register to speak on time we still can submit our
brief.

John
-- 
John Jackson
17 Major Street
Kitchener, Ontario N2H 4R1
519-744-7503

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