Several dozen citizens attended yesterday the first of two sessions that began with public hearings by Ottawa’s Commission of Inquiry into the Light Rail Transit System (CERTLRO). To mark the occasion, the commissioners wanted to hear users, so that they could share their experience in developing the transportation network, which has several times been headlines in recent years due to numerous operational defects.
In front of Court of Appeal judge for Ontario and commissioner William Hourigan, in a large ballroom of the Shaw Center in downtown Ottawa, six people approached, despite 15 registrations being announced. Their calm tone certainly did not obscure their frustration with the light rail network, a frustration seen in all the testimonies.
I came by bike, I didn’t want to take a chance! joke by Ken Ruben, the first to speak into the microphone. The Ottawa resident has made several proposals primarily related to the management of light rail transit.
Your inquiry is our inquiry. he concluded by addressing Commissioner Hourigan, who wanted to tell him that he fully agreed with this statement.
Campaign break for MP Joel Harden
NDP member for the Ottawa Center in the Ontario Legislative Assembly, Joel Harden, also registered as a speaker. People really want this system to work. There are opportunities for public transport in this city. launched the deputy. He denounced the recurring problems of the light rail system.
” Smell the sewer at Rideau station. The tires are broken. Doors that do not work. Five derailments, including one with 12 people on board. I believe the latter led to this commission. […] I am disappointed that the City of Ottawa did not request the commission of inquiry. “
Joel Harden also criticized the opacity around the project, regretting that City councilors have been kept dark for so long about light rail management.
The MP’s speech was followed by John Redins, a man with a disability. The latter wants to showcase his experience on the light rail, from the announcement of its construction until now. Para Transpo is not allowed to use the reserved lanes for the construction of light rail. [Par la suite]whenever there is a problem with the train, it leaves people with no alternative, launched the constant use of public transport. In winter, even the bathrooms are freezing! he concludes.
Impact even if the train does not pass
Laura Shantz is a resident of Vanier, has no car and always rides public transportation. Even though the train didn’t go to his neighborhood, he was angry at its repeated malfunction. Whenever the train isn’t running, that’s a lot of buses being taken out of our community. [pour pallier les problèmes], the mother of the family explained to commissioner Hourigan.
I had to reassure my kids, and tell them no, the train wouldn’t catch fire, it wouldn’t derail. And then, they pointed out to me a new event, where the train burned down, where it derailed, Ms. continued. Shantz.
” We lost confidence as travelers. We have lost confidence in our municipal administration. “
For Evan Saslove, who specializes in public transport planning, light rail retreats are a huge disappointment. I wanted to be one of the first to ride the train, which I did. I ignored the deadlines. I know the investment is worth it. Honestly, I don’t believe it anymore. sorry for the microphone those who live near the station of phase two of the light rail. We want light rail to make our lives easier, not harder.
Forty witnesses were called
For Christine Mainville, lead counsel for the commission of inquiry, the two public meetings were crucial to the work of those who began their investigative work at the beginning of the year. It helps us provide context, it helps us clarify what people’s concerns are. he said on the sideline of the event. For any commission, it is important to understand how it affects people and what the problem is. Because obviously, when there is a commission of inquiry, there is a problem somewhere!
So far, about 40 witnesses have been called to the public hearings CERTLRO. Among them, the public will recognize the faces of Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa and Catherine McKenney, who represents the Somerset district. Representatives of Alstom, Thales and the Rideau Transport Group will also be heard.
After the second user meeting scheduled for tonight, CERTLRO hearings will resume June 13 at the University of Ottawa. The hearings are open to the public. This marathon – the CERTLRO will sit from 9 am to 9 pm five days a week until July 8 – should lead to the publication of a report next August. Commissioner Hourigan may request an extension of time until November if he lacks time.
Anyone interested in sharing feedback with the commission, even outside of the two nights set aside this week for public statements, may contact the investigation team at [email protected] or by calling 1-833-597 -1955.
Source: Radio-Canada
