Comment 104661

By RobF (registered) | Posted September 20, 2014 at 10:13:35 in reply to Comment 104650

Yeah, I agree that's Clark's angle. I may not agree with him, but i see the political logic.

Like most people who say they support BRT, here is what he really means:

"I don't want to spend a dime on transit, but have to pretend I do. Once we all suddenly realize that all the underground work also has to happen with BRT we can easily sell a total cancellation of the project to the public and get back to building more roads through farmland in Stoney Creek".

Much of this is probably true. I don't think Clark's vision of BRT is much more than minor enhancements to the existing B-Line bus, so it won't be so much a cancellation of the project as much as a debate over what BRT is. McHattie needs to do a better job emphasizing the difference between the higher upfront capital costs of LRT and long-run cost-savings and fiscal improvement for the City from lower-operating costs and greater potential for redevelopment, i.e. tax-base growth, from LRT. The decision between LRT and BRT isn't that difficult to make placed in that context. Of course, you are right Clark is obscuring his real position, which is do as close to nothing on transit as possible. Where does the Hamilton growth machine sit? Developers are eyeing up Downtown and the Waterfront for condos, etc. Aren't they concerned about the LRT project?

Comment edited by RobF on 2014-09-20 10:16:18

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