Jake Rupert, The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Monday, July 23, 2007

Support for a commuter rail system in eastern Ontario continues to grow with 10 area mayors confirmed to attend a strategy session in Ottawa next month.

Last week, Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien invited civic leaders from surrounding town and municipalities to city hall on August 1 for discussion about the system. Mr. O'Brien wants to gage municipal support for the idea and develop a common pla to make it a reality.

"The response has been pretty quick and pretty enthusiastic," Mr. O'Brien's spokesman, Mike Patton, said yesterday. "We're expecting more to confirm this week."

Mr. O'Brien is hoping the meeting results in a road map that ends with a commuter rail system connecting connecting Arnprior, Perth, Brockville, Alexandria, and points between to Ottawa.

The idea for the system was put forward last month by members of the mayor's task force on transportation, which was headed by former federal transportation minister David Collenette.

It's part of an overall vision for public transit for the city and area that includes a downtown subway and a light-rail system criss-crossing the suburban and urban areas of the municipality.

Since the task force tabled its report, several mayors from towns surrounding Ottawa have expressed support for the commuter rail aspect of the plan.

Mr. O'Brien has met with Smiths Falls Mayor Dennis Staples and Casselman Mayor Conrad Lamadeleine to discuss the issue. Mr. Staples and Mr. Lamadeleine estimated that between 5,000 and 8,000 people commute from each of their towns to Ottawa to work each day.

Similar numbers are being reported in other towns, which would mean thousands of car off the roads during rush hour if the plan goes ahead.

Ottawa West-Nepean Liberal MPP Jim Watson said the provincial government is interested in funding a commuter rail network in Eastern Ontario as long as it will take people out of cars and gets them onto public transit.

The plan will need provincial and federal funding to succeed, but the cost of the system would be limited to vehicles and switching technology. This is because rail lines already connect the towns with the city, most
stations are already built, and no major studies need to be done.

Mr. Patton said a business case with proper costing and operational details will need to be developed. Then it's a question of getting financial commitments.

"This meeting is the first step in the process," he said. "We're hoping for a resolution to make this happen, and to see what the next logical steps are."

© The Ottawa Citizen 2007