Hamilton’s proposed LRT agreement goes before council Sept. 8
After months of talks, it will be up to city council whether to support a proposed agreement for Hamilton's LRT project with an aim to start construction next year.
The draft memorandum of understanding for a light-rail line from McMaster University to Eastgate Square is before city politicians on Sept. 8.
A team of officials with the city, the Ministry of Transportation and Metrolinx hammered out the proposed MOU following a 9-6 council vote in June that directed staff pursue a new draft agreement laying out project responsibilities.
Mayor Fred Eisenberger says he's confident" there are enough votes to approve the project's proposed MOU, which the ministry and Metrolinx have already supported in principle.
Approval would mean no more off-ramps" for the long-planned project the province abruptly cancelled in December 2019, Eisenberger says.
We're on the on-ramp. We are getting the project done, completed and built," he said Wednesday, noting the proposed MOU resembles a previous memorandum of agreement firmed up in 2016.
In May, in a turn of fortunes for the contentious project, the provincial and federal governments announced they'd agreed to split the $3.4-billion cost to build Hamilton's 14-kilometre LRT.
The draft MOU stipulates that the city must cover the cost of the light-rail line's operation and maintenance. City staff have estimated operation could cost as little as $6.4 million each year if 29 buses are taken off the road and ridership increases by eight per cent.
Metrolinx would foot the construction bill - including land-acquisition costs, as well as expenses associated with the relocation of city-owned assets and infrastructure.
The provincial transit agency must cover LRT's life-cycle refurbishment" post construction. As in the last agreement, Metrolinx will also pay for city staff dedicated to an LRT office.
The ministry is now also a signatory to the MOU, a key" departure from the 2016 agreement.
The proposed MOU also adds new clarity" in detailing that the city will receive all fare proceeds and other revenues, including a portion" of advertising dollars.
Metrolinx, as project owners, will have final say in the selection of an operator - with significant input from the city" - the proposed MOU states.
HSR union head Eric Tuck has pushed for the city to run any future LRT line with Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 107 members operating trains. That's our preference. That's what we're fighting for," Tuck said Wednesday.
Eisenberger said the city wants assurances of competitive pricing" for LRT's operation, but added there's no reason" why ATU members and potentially current HSR drivers" shouldn't helm trains.
If council approves the MOU, it will spur talks on more detailed documents, including for train operator services, revenues, staffing, real estate matters, licensing and permits, communications and dispute resolution.
The details of affordable housing, which federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna cited as a condition of the capital funding, and community benefits are also left to further deliberations between the city and province in the proposed MOU.
With a federal election now in full swing, with opposition parties hoping to unseat the Liberals come Sept. 20, the NDP have voiced support for the LRT project while the Conservatives have said they'll honour" the $1.7-billion to help fund public transit in Hamilton."
Teviah Moro is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: tmoro@thespec.com