Hamilton mayoral candidate Clark declares LRT unaffordable

Hamilton mayoral hopeful Brad Clark says it’s time the city replaced light rail transit plans and focused on a bus rapid transit system — even though Clark favoured LRT in the past.

Clark says Hamilton should have a more affordable BRT system as part of expanded HSR service. He says Hamilton taxpayers can’t afford the LRT plans.

“If you look at the overall picture, if we were to put in the LRT line, if we were to put the bus rapid transit, up the A line, Upper James, and to improve our transit, all at once, that would equate to $300 per household in new taxes, and they can’t afford it. They’re telling us right now they can’t even afford a 1 per cent increase in taxes, they get very upset about it, especially those on fixed incomes.”

Clark says even if the province grants up to $1.3 billion to pay for rails, trains and stations, the LRT will not be free. Last year Hamilton city council passed a motion in favour of light rail transit if the province paid all the capital costs.

In the budget this year the province allocated $15 billion over 10 years for transit in the GTHA; a portion will go to Hamilton.