Ottawa group wants Ontario to cut light rail funds

Ottawa's revised light rail project is poor value for money and the province should not help pay for it, says a group of transit activists and experts.

The group Friends of the O-Trainsent a letter to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty Monday just days before a criticalDec. 15 deadlinefor the project asking the province not tohand overits $200-million contribution to the project.

The group argues that the downtown section removed from the plan is crucial, and if the province decides to help fund the shortened rail line, it shouldcut its contributionby half to $100-million.

'We're asking that no money be given because part of the requirement is that there be value-for-money demonstrated ... This has not been done.' Klaus Beltzner, Friends of the O-Train

The federal and provincial governments agreed to contribute $200-million each to the original north-south light rail line, which was to run from Barrhaven Centre to LeBreton Flats, then east through downtown to the University of Ottawa.

City council passed a motion last week to approve a shortened version of the north-south light rail line whose north end stops west of Ottawa's downtown.

The federal government has confirmed it willhand over its contribution for therevised project.

But last week Premier Dalton McGuinty said the province needs to review the changes beforecontributing its share.

City officials have asked the province to make its decision by Dec. 15. The agreement withSiemens-PCL/Dufferin, the group of companies that is to build the light rail line, specifies that the project must getunderway by that dateat the very latest.

Friends of the O-Trainis lobbyingthe province not to provide the funds.

Klaus Beltzner, a spokesman forthe group, said the new plan does not meet the most basic requirements set out in the funding agreement.

"We're asking that no money be given because part of the requirement is that there be value for money demonstrated," said Beltzner. "This has not been done."

Friends of the O-Train proposed an alternative to the city's developing light rail plan in 2003 three years before the original light rail proposal was approved by the previous city council.

They lobbied for the plan again during the recent fall election campaign.

At the time, mayoral candidates Larry O'Brien and Alex Munter both promised to review the original light rail plan and make changes if elected.

O'Briensaid he would spend six months reviewing the plan, but after being elected mayor, he voted in favour of the shortened rail line after only a few days in office.