Hamiltonians need to be able to get around all parts of our city, whether that’s to and from work, into our shopping, entertainment and arts districts, or to access our natural and recreational features as conveniently and affordably as possible. Our city has a number of completely unserved transit areas — including business areas that are desperate for workers — and many underserved routes. Our transit system should grow with our city. As Mayor, I will never stop expanding Hamilton transit.
Over the next four years I will work with City Council, staff and the community to:
- Renew Hamilton’s transit plan to take us beyond 2025, and work with key transportation stakeholders to expedite the implementation of the BLAST network.
- Expand Hamilton’s transit routes and reach to include convenient transportation between all of Hamilton’s communities that meets the needs of Hamiltonians and Hamilton workers and employers.
- Make driving safer by improving roads, and building more electric vehicle charging stations to encourage folks to switch to low emission vehicles.
How we’ll do it:
- Undertake a comprehensive consultation to renew Hamilton's Transit plan beyond 2025. Focus on expediting HSR frequency and service levels, including increased services between communities and neighbourhoods and improving the quality and reliability of accessible transit for persons living with disabilities.
- Keep operations related to running public transit publicly funded and ensure that they are operated, maintained, and supported by the HSR and ATU 107 ensuring accountability, transparency and quality service.
- Transition to a low carbon fleet.
- Keep the LRT on track with regular reports and updates to the Mayor and council, and ongoing engagement with Metrolinx. Create a communications strategy that keeps Hamiltonians, businesses and stakeholders informed and engaged with this transformational project.
- Make taking transit more convenient by providing better access to Presto reloading at or near transit stops.
- Ensure Hamilton is included in GO Transit’s two-way all-day Regional Express Rail network getting commuters to and from Hamilton with safe, frequently accessible and staffed Hamilton stations.
- Explore and implement practical ways of connecting potential riders in areas currently not serviced by public transit to the network to encourage ridership, grow support and access, and provide affordable transportation options for people to get to jobs.