Plateau residents association calls on Gatineau to build light rail system

As Gatineau's transit company held the first of two information sessions on expanding public transit in the city's west end, a Plateau neighbourhood residents association is calling for a light rail system.

The STO is asking residents of the Plateau district and Aylmer how tobetter serve residents in the city's west end, andlaunched an online public consultationOct.17.

At an information session Wednesday night, the transit company laid out fivedifferent options for expanded service.

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The first and mildest scenario would add some reserve lanes for buses and priority lights for buses at key intersections.

The second would bring concentrated transit expansion to Aylmer's southern side, making Chemin Aylmer and Boulevard Alexandre-Tachthe central transit axis.

The third would do the opposite, with Boulevarddes Allumettiresin the north becoming the spine of expanded transit.

Two further options are minor variations on scenarios the second and third options.

'If we don't do anything congestion will get worse'

"If we don't do anythingcongestion will get worse, and we need more reliable transit service so that our buses aren't caught in that congestion," said Cecile Lecoq, an STO spokesperson.

At theinformation session, Plateau residents association president Alain Pilon said the City of Gatineau should follow the direction that Hamilton and Waterloo appear to be taking by building a light rail system to serve residents into the future.

An open letter from the association published in Le Droit,addressed to GatineauMayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin as well as provincial and federal politicians, argues that buses should not be relied upon for transit expansion in Aylmer.

"Ottawa will ban about 90 per centof buses in downtown Ottawa, so if we are proposing to multiply the number of buses by threeor four,I don't know where we are going to put them," Pilonsaid Wednesday night.

'Let's find something, and fast'

The opening of the first phase of light rail in Ottawa in 2018 is expected to remove dozens of daily buses from the Albert and Slaterstreet corridors.

"Please look seriously at this opportunity we have right now to build something electric, economical, comfortable for the future," Pilonsaid.

"What we see in most cities in Canada and North America is it's very difficult to get more usage of buses. There's a limit. So, let's go. Let's find something,and fast."

Outside the Plateau district community hall, 12-year-old Michael Adeitoignored the information sessionand concentrated instead on shooting hoops at an outdoor basketball court. His family moved from Ottawa this fall, joining the roughly 20,000 people already living in the Plateau.

He welcomed the news of expanded public transit into his new neighbourhood. Adeito takes a city bus from Hull to cole secondaire de l'leand said the ride is typically a crowded one.

"Really full, like there's barely seats.We need to stay [standing]up," he said.

The STO will hold another information session in Hull Thursday night.