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Mayor's Survey

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February 23, 2007 - 9:22am — GC

This is not encouraging for anybody supporting LRT in Ottawa. The mayor's survey indicates that most south end residents don't want LRT. PERIOD. Instead, they want more roads and buses, even if this is not sustainable because of downtown congestion.

I think that this is a sad conclusion and shows the negative affects of what has become an acrimonious debate. During the election campaign, most Ottawa residents seemed to agree that LRT was needed in some form. This is obviously no longer the case. The public is becoming more and more opposed to LRT in any form because of the nasty division at city hall, and the threat of a massive lawsuit. This will likely get worse, maybe much worse before it gets better.

It may be difficult to regain public support.

The mayor may use the survey results to justify a transportation plan that does not include LRT.

‹ Getting back on the Rails. Chaudiere Bridge closed... so use POW bridge! ›
February 23, 2007 - 10:07am — cooper

Re: Mayor's Survey

I agree, I think the nasty division at city hall pinning wards against each other has led some residents to stop believing in LRT. This is bad for both the city's plans and the FotO plan. However, I think it also shows that residence support the current transitway system. I don't believe that any of these transitways should be converted to LRT. They are currently attractive to residence and would not significantly increase the transit ridership, which is the ultimate objective. I believe that LRT should service new areas that are not currently properly serviced or not serviced at all.

Kyle Cooper

Transit user/Advocate

February 23, 2007 - 11:05am — GC

I fully agree. We must not

I fully agree. We must not wreck our Transitway network, especially by replacing bits and pieces with trains. This could even have a negative impact on ridership.

Replacing whole legs of the Transitway with LRT will be costly and not generate many new transit riders. Lets build new routes for LRT first with the potential of drawing in a large number of new transit riders.

When should rails be put on the Transitway? We should do this when the Transitway needs major renewal. If we plan things correctly, an alternative LRT route across the city and into downtown will be in place which would allow the Transitway traffic to be redirected during the Transitway conversion. I don't see this happening for many years.

February 27, 2007 - 9:08am — fotoadmin

"During the election

"During the election campaign, most Ottawa residents seemed to agree that LRT was needed in some form. This is obviously no longer the case."

I wouldn't base any conclusions from this survey. It was a move by the mayor to help him put a stop to the resurrection plot by Deans and company. It does add strength to the "more buses and roads" argument, but everyone at council is still talking LRT for the not-too-distant future.

February 28, 2007 - 12:46pm — PDQ

I hope you are correct...

"but everyone at council is still talking LRT for the not-too-distant future"

I hope you are correct. I am not keeping close watch on this issue but council's actions (or lack of) do not leave me optimistic. Raising transit fares suggests to me a view of public transit as bus service instead of integral component of a liveable city.