Rapid Transit Media Round-up

The past week or so has seen a lot of talk about Rapid Transit in Waterloo Region. A round-up of media reports and opinions follows.

On Tuesday morning, staff presented a “Preliminary Preferred Rapid Transit Implementation Option” to Planning & Works Committee.

Reporting prior to the meeting: Support for light-rail trains gets boost - The Record City wants trains: Officials surprised by public opinion in Cambridge - Cambridge Times

Reporting on the meeting: Region chair, Cambridge mayor bow out of rapid transit votes - The Record Same plan: New LRT plan same as old one - Waterloo Chronicle Councillors still trying to gauge if there’s support for light-rail transit - The Record High cost of trains will delay better buses - The Record Regional councillors pull out of voting on transit plan - CTV Seiling says conflict on LRT proposal never crossed his mind - The Record Councillors clarify conflict of interest concerns - CTV

Developments in Cambridge: EDAC wants LRT scrapped - Cambridge Times Cambridge Chamber of Commerce’s thoughts on the report Cambridge council motion rejects paying for light rail - The Record

Developments in Waterloo: An email regarding a planned “anti-LRT rally” LRT meeting rescheduled - 570 News Mayor Halloran’s clarification on Twitter

Recent opinion pieces of note: Cambridge Times editorial - No shock as LRT goes ahead The Record editorial - Transit debate about to resume Waterloo Chronicle editorial - Who’s to say? The Record editorial - A clash of interests at the region Sean Geobey - We’re more than a collection of taxpayers (The Record) Ruth Haworth - Questions about rail plan go beyond money (The Record) Kate Daley - Without the right questions, transit plan could fail (The Record) Cherise Burda - Light rail transit suitable for high-tech hub (Pembina Institute) Bill Romahn - Many benefits for city in preferred LRT option (Cambridge Times) Matt Tiessen - Follow Berlin model (The Record)