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Waterloo Region last night approved a $790-million light rail transit plan that includes electric trains for Kitchener-Waterloo and fast buses for Cambridge.
"This is a historic moment," said Coun. Jim Wideman of Kitchener.
Rail transit could be launched by 2014 in Kitchener and Waterloo, if federal and provincial funding pays for most of the construction costs. Fast buses could be launched by 2011 in Cambridge.
But a seven-part recorded vote reopened festering animosities between northern and southern parts of the region.
"This is a historic moment, but it depends on what side of the 401 you live on," said Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig. "What we really have is a Kitchener-Waterloo light rail plan."
While Craig was the only councillor who voted against approving light rail transit as the preferred option for the region, he was joined by two regional councillors from Cambridge and North Dumfries Mayor Kim Denouden in voting against the staging of the project, which would see Cambridge getting fast buses and Kitchener-Waterloo electric trains.
"The citizens of Cambridge are being shafted," Craig said.
Craig vowed to ensure the senior governments know Cambridge residents feel like second-class citizens.
And in a later interview, Craig said Cambridge council is considering appealing the region`s environmental assessment study, that sets the stage for light rail transit, to the Ontario Minister of the Environment.
He wanted regional council to defer a decision until a consensus is formed on the issue between the region`s seven mayors and the regional chair.
"I am not sabotaging it," he said of the project. "Cambridge has a position that it wants to be treated fairly and equitably."
The Cambridge mayor said he is going to ensure that the federal and provincial governments know about a study his city commissioned that says planners understated rapid buses for the region and overstated electric trains.
Craig believes rapid buses could serve the region for the next 30 years at a lower cost of $585 million.
Planners say extending electric trains to Cambridge would cost another $583 million.
Ridership in Cambridge is projected to be much lower, and there is less potential to attract development by the tracks.
Read the full article here.
"This is a historic moment," said Coun. Jim Wideman of Kitchener.
Rail transit could be launched by 2014 in Kitchener and Waterloo, if federal and provincial funding pays for most of the construction costs. Fast buses could be launched by 2011 in Cambridge.
But a seven-part recorded vote reopened festering animosities between northern and southern parts of the region.
"This is a historic moment, but it depends on what side of the 401 you live on," said Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig. "What we really have is a Kitchener-Waterloo light rail plan."
While Craig was the only councillor who voted against approving light rail transit as the preferred option for the region, he was joined by two regional councillors from Cambridge and North Dumfries Mayor Kim Denouden in voting against the staging of the project, which would see Cambridge getting fast buses and Kitchener-Waterloo electric trains.
"The citizens of Cambridge are being shafted," Craig said.
Craig vowed to ensure the senior governments know Cambridge residents feel like second-class citizens.
And in a later interview, Craig said Cambridge council is considering appealing the region`s environmental assessment study, that sets the stage for light rail transit, to the Ontario Minister of the Environment.
He wanted regional council to defer a decision until a consensus is formed on the issue between the region`s seven mayors and the regional chair.
"I am not sabotaging it," he said of the project. "Cambridge has a position that it wants to be treated fairly and equitably."
The Cambridge mayor said he is going to ensure that the federal and provincial governments know about a study his city commissioned that says planners understated rapid buses for the region and overstated electric trains.
Craig believes rapid buses could serve the region for the next 30 years at a lower cost of $585 million.
Planners say extending electric trains to Cambridge would cost another $583 million.
Ridership in Cambridge is projected to be much lower, and there is less potential to attract development by the tracks.
Read the full article here.
