Light Rail Transit

[bcwessel]

This is some real Grade A Rhetoric:

http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/674870--artist-brushes-off-rail-transit-plan

Area Man Understands That Regional Taxes Pay for Regional Assets

“Who’s going to end up paying for it? You and I,” he [declared with a clear sense of civic responsibility and purpose].

[BigCityBoy]

There was a small piece done on CTV this evening that addressed this issue. On the one hand they had a man with a PHD in transport studies and on the other they had a man that was 'buckling under his own success'. Check it out on CTV.

[bcwessel]

There was a small piece done on CTV this evening that addressed this issue. On the one hand they had a man with a PHD in transport studies and on the other they had a man that was 'buckling under his own success'. Check it out on CTV.

To clarify a few points, the two men who appeared in the story were John Shortreed and Tim Mollison. Shortreed has a PhD in civil engineering and is a credible expert on risk management and public health. The bulk of his work on transportation is concerned with traffic accident analysis, most of which is now fairly dated. He is also a member and lead advocate for Taxpayers for Sensible Transit.

Mollison, a member and lead advocate for TriTag, who I'm sure is quite successful in many ways, claimed that the iXpress would soon be "crushed under the weight of its own success." Mollison made this claim in response to Shortreed's assertion that LRT is unnecessary because development was already occurring along the central transit corridor without it.

This is the piece in its entirety:

http://swo.ctv.ca??video=624467

[mpd618]

And what, pray tell, are Mr. Mollison's qualifications, i wonder? Does anyone have his CV so that we can assume he is more than just somone guy who lives along King Street who...

If you want to have a discussion, insulting people based on assumptions you make of them is not a good way to start. In fact, it's a good way to prevent it. Which suggests to me that what you want is attention, rather than discussion.

If you want to preserve any impression of good-faith participation in this community, I would suggest retracting what you wrote and trying again with what you are trying to say.

[bcwessel]

And what, pray tell, are Mr. Mollison's qualifications, i wonder? Does anyone have his CV so that we can assume he is more than just somone guy who lives along King Street who would like a nice train to pass by and who perhaps also enjoys model trains, cats and trainspotting?

Sry, i know, don't be glib and confrontational but is this really the best guy we've got to defend the LRT and is what he says purely more than emotional? You must admit that his responses are less than erudite vis a vis the PHD responses (however seemingly dated).

He strikes me as a guy who would champion anything he could sink his teeth into as long as it made him noticed and wouldn't detract from his comic book collection and his Friday nights at Abstract.

My clarification on Shortreed was merely intended to point out that his credentials are often overstated and on occasion misrepresented by various media in the context of his authority in matters of higher-order transit planning. I'm sure he was an excellent Professor of Civil engineering, and has likely made many fine contributions to his field. However, decades-old research on a tangential discourse to the one currently being discussed is not particularly relevant in my opinion. I feel it would be more accurate and applicable to cite Shortreed's credentials as a dedicated citizen, and passionate and concerned opponent of rail transit.

I don't know Mollison personally, but based on what is available publicly with regards to his involvement with TriTag, I see no reason to assume that his advocacy of light rail is predicated on anything but a strong understanding of the Region, its current and future transit needs, and a clear sense of civic pride and duty.

It's also surprising - suspect, even - that you've chosen now to put so much weight on academic credentials, considering past instances in which you have flippantly dismissed current research on a number of issues as "some asshole. . . quoting some random study from some randon study from some are that is random to here." Why the sudden change of heart?

[zanate]

Prior to the LRT vote last June, Shortreed's and T4ST's arguments against LRT boiled down to:

• We don't have enough transit ridership to justify LRT.
• LRT will never bring the intensification that people say it will.

Fast forward to now. Continued fantastic transit growth and a boom in downtown construction that is pent-up demand unleashed now that the Region's transit plans have crystalized. Now Shortreed is saying:

• iXpress is doing great, therefore we don't need LRT
• Intensification is happening, therefore we don't need LRT.

This is an interesting way to spin this evidence. He is ignoring the effect that our transit plans are already having, way in advance of delivery. He is pointing at transit success as a reason for no more transit. (Say what?) And he's talking up an urban shift that doesn't need LRT to drive it, but not considering that intensified cores will need LRT to serve it.

That's spinning so hard, you could hook him up to a generator.

[dunkalunk]

And what, pray tell, are Mr. Mollison's qualifications, i wonder? Does anyone have his CV so that we can assume he is more than just somone guy who lives along King Street who would like a nice train to pass by and who perhaps also enjoys model trains, cats and trainspotting?

If it counts for anything, Shortreed lives in the Bauer Lofts across the street from a proposed LRT stop. People have their own reason for supporting or opposing a project.

And while everyone is entitled to their own opinion, these kinds of baseless suppositions border on defamation of character. I know you get a kick out of being a troll, but posts like this do nothing to advance an argument.

[DKsan]

My favourite part of this whole debacle with Shortreed is they're asking ONE retired professor of UW. Why hasn't T4ST asked current and other UW profs, in civil, architecture, and planning, about what they think of transit and the current plan? I'm sure some of these professors have just as much experience as Shortreed, with same the amount of credentials.

[mpd618]

My favourite part of this whole debacle with Shortreed is they're asking ONE retired professor of UW.

No one's even asking. Shortreed occasionally sends out long missives to politicians and media.

I think he sometimes makes good points, but the overall argument is confused and often self-contradictory.

[bcwessel]

The Cambridge Times ran the full version of Shortreed's latest arguments against LRT, on which the CTV piece was based: Trend May Doom Light Rail Transit.

[KevinL]

Basically, Shortreed seems to be claiming that projects like Red Condos are succeeding despite LRT, when in fact, they're more likely succeeding because of it.

And it's easy for the media to talk to Shortreed because he is retired. The current experts in the field are busy doing the jobs that make them the current experts in the field and can't react to every petty argument made by those opposed.

[KevinL]

Waterloo Region rail transit project loses its director

Jeff Outhit | Record staff | Wed Mar 7 2012 | LINK

WATERLOO REGION — Rail transit has lost its director just as planning for the $818-million project accelerates.
Nancy Button has led the controversial project for more than two years. Later this month she’s leaving regional government to commute to a Toronto job as a consultant in transportation planning.
“It’s a new opportunity,” she said, praising the rapid transit team she’s leaving behind.
Her replacement will be recruited in an international search.
“It’s a critical job,” said Thomas Schmidt, regional transportation commissioner. “It’s unfortunate Nancy has left. She’s done a great job for us. But obviously it’s an opportunity for her and she’s chosen to take it.”
Schmidt will help direct rapid transit while a replacement is hired. It could take up to six months to fill the job.

[Waterlooer]

Will Waterloo Region be safe? http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Ot...388/story.html

[mpd618]

Will Waterloo Region be safe? http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Ot...388/story.html

The Star says: "Transit projects in Kitchener-Waterloo and Ottawa will also be spared."

[bcwessel]

The Star says: "Transit projects in Kitchener-Waterloo and Ottawa will also be spared."

The $8.4 billion for TTC rapid transit expansion will not be cut either. The announcement likely doesn't bode well for Hamilton's (as-of-yet unfunded) rapid transit dreams, though.

[DHLawrence]

All-day GO service is probably going to be deferred as well.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Notice of Completion of Environmental Project Report Region of Waterloo Rapid Transit Project
March 16, 2012 | ROW Rapid Transit | Email

The Project

The Regional Municipality of Waterloo (Region) has completed an Environmental Project Report (EPR) in accordance with Ontario Regulation 231/08 for the Region of Waterloo Rapid Transit Project. The Region is proposing a rapid transit system that connects the Region’s three major urban centres of the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo. This project is part of a strategic framework to enhance transit service in high-demand transportation corridors and to guide and manage long-term growth within the Region, as set out in the Regional Growth Management Strategy (2003) and the Regional Transportation Master Plan (2011).

Stage 1 of the rapid transit system consists of both light rail transit (LRT) and adapted bus rapid transit (aBRT) operating along the rapid transit corridor. LRT will operate between Conestoga Mall in the City of Waterloo and Fairview Park Mall in the City of Kitchener (19 km), and aBRT will operate between Fairview Park Mall and the Ainslie Street Terminal in the City of Cambridge (17 km). There will be a total of 22 stations along the 36 km corridor. A map of the rapid transit system can be viewed on the rapid transit website: http://rapidtransit.region.waterloo.on.ca/maps.html

The Process

The environmental impact of this transit project was assessed and an EPR was prepared in accordance with the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) as prescribed in Ontario Regulation 231/08, Transit Projects and Metrolinx Undertakings (Transit Projects Regulation).

The EPR for the Region of Waterloo Rapid Transit Project is now available for a 30-day review period starting March 16, 2012 to April 16, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. at the following locations, including the rapid transit project website: http://rapidtransit.region.waterloo....ct-report.html

Ministry of the Environment
Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch
2 St. Clair Avenue West, Floor 12A
Toronto, ON, M4V 1L5
1-800-461-6290, Mon. – Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Ministry of the Environment
Guelph District Office, 4th Floor
1 Stone Road West
Guelph, ON, N1G 4Y2
1-800-265-8658, Mon. – Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Region of Waterloo
Office of the Regional Clerk
150 Frederick Street
Kitchener, ON, N2G 4J3
519-575-4420, Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

City of Cambridge
Office of the City Clerk, 2nd Floor
50 Dickson Street,
Cambridge, ON N1R 8S1
519-740-4680, Mon.-Fri. 8:30 am.- 4:30 p.m.

City of Kitchener
Office of the City Clerk
200 King Street West
Kitchener, ON, N2G 4G7
519-741-2203, Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

City of Waterloo
Office of the City Clerk, 1st Floor
100 Regina Street South
Waterloo, ON, N2J 4A8
519-747-8705, Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Queen’s Square Library
Information Desk
1 North Square
Cambridge, ON, N1S 2K6
519-621-2080, Mon. – Thurs. 9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Fri.- Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Sun. 1 - 5 p.m. (Sept.- May)

Kitchener Public Library, Main Branch
Information Desk
85 Queen Street North
Kitchener, ON, N2H 2H1
519-743-0271, Mon. – Thurs. 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri. 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sun. 1 - 5 p.m. (Jan.8 - May 13)

Waterloo Public Library
Information Desk
35 Albert Street
Waterloo, ON, N2L 5E2
519-886-1310 ext. 110.
Mon. – Thurs. 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri. - Sat. 10 a.m. – 5: 30 p.m.
Sun. 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. (Oct. 16 – May 6)

Interested persons are encouraged to review this document and provide comments no later than April 16, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. For further information on the proposed rapid transit project and to submit comments and concerns regarding the EPR, please contact:

Darshpreet Singh Bhatti, P.Eng., Manager, Rapid Transit Engineering
Region of Waterloo, Rapid Transit, 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener, ON, N2G 4J3
Phone: 519-575-4757, ext. 3691, rtinfo@regionofwaterloo.ca

There are circumstances where the Minister of the Environment has the authority to require further consideration of the transit project, or impose conditions on it. These include if the Minister is of the opinion that:

• The transit project may have a negative impact on a matter of provincial importance that relates to the natural environment or has cultural heritage value or interest; or,
• The transit project may have a negative impact on a constitutionally protected Aboriginal or treaty right.

Before exercising the authority referred to above, the Minister is required to consider any written objections to the transit project that he or she may receive within 30 days after the Notice of Completion of EPR is first published.

If you have discussed your concerns with the Region but feel they are unresolved, you can provide a written objection to the Minister of the Environment (with a copy to the Region) no later than April 16, 2012 at 11:59 a.m. to the address provided below. All submissions must clearly indicate that an objection is being submitted and describe any negative impacts to matters of provincial importance (natural or cultural environment) or Aboriginal rights. A copy of the objection will be forwarded to the Region by the Ministry if it was not already provided.

Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch
Ministry of the Environment
2 St. Clair Avenue West, Floor 12A
Toronto ON M4V 1L5
Attention: Alex Blasko, Special Project Officer
Phone: 416-314-8001; Toll free: 1-800-461-6290
Fax: 416-314-8452
E-mail: eaabgen.moe@ontario.ca

This project follows Ontario’s Transit Project Assessment Process. All comments and information received from individuals, stakeholder groups and agencies regarding this project are being collected under the Environmental Assessment Act and the Municipal Act to assist the Region of Waterloo in making decisions on this project. Questions may be directed to the Region’s Manager, Rapid Transit Engineering, listed above.

Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Environmental Assessment Act, unless otherwise stated in the submission, any personal information such as name, address, telephone number and property location included in a submission to the Ministry of the Environment will become part of the public record files for this matter and will be released, if requested, to any person. Questions may be directed to the Ministry’s Special Project Officer, listed above.

This notice was first issued on March 16, 2012.

Rapid Transit Route Map

[panamaniac]

Just looking at that updated map and wondering when the Mill station was added? I always thought it made sense, to pick up the Ottawa St express bus passengers coming from the west/south and to spur higher density in the surrounding area, but I didn't realize that it would be part of Stage 1. Was Mill station always part of the plan?

[KevinL]

Just looking at that updated map and wondering when the Mill station was added? I always thought it made sense, to pick up the Ottawa St express bus passengers coming from the west/south and to spur higher density in the surrounding area, but I didn't realize that it would be part of Stage 1. Was Mill station always part of the plan?

NO it was not, and this is the first time I've seen it on an official plan to my recollection. It does make sense with the Schneiders lands opening up, and that this would have been the biggest stretch without a station if they hadn't put it in.

[zanate]

This came to light in January's Transit Project Assessment material: http://rapidtransit.region.waterloo....playBoards.pdf

Mill Station

A rapid transit station at the Mill Street/Ottawa Street intersection will provide a number of benefits:
• Improved opportunities for transfers between conventional bus service and rapid transit.
• Convenient neighbourhood transit access.
• Reduced number of bus routes that travel between south and central Kitchener, and Downtown Kitchener.
• Increased conventional bus service in other areas by reallocating resources.
• Potential redevelopment opportunities in the station area.
• Improved traffic operations by realigning the Mill Street/Ottawa Street intersection.