Cumberland Candidate Stephen Blais is questioning why Councillor Jellett waited more than two years after he urged him to ask city staff to cost out bringing LRT to Trim Road and building the Cumberland transit line as an LRT out to Millennium Road instead of a BRT.

”On April 15, 2008, I emailed Councillors Jellett, Monette, Bloess and Bellemare and urged them to ask city staff to cost out an Orléans LRT link," says Blais. "With less than seven weeks to go before election-day, I’m not surprised that Councillor Jellett has now taken my advice for the sole purpose of his re-election."

In what can only be considered a cheap political stunt to get re-elected, on September 8, 2010, Councillor Rob Jellett presented a last-minute motion at city hall, which was seconded by Councillor Bloess, that asked city staff to produce business cases before starting Transitway bus-orientated projects to see if light-rail can be developed more quickly on those routes.

“I am appalled that Councillor Jellett is attempting to portray himself as trying to speed up the process of getting light-rail to Orleans”, adds Blais. “I have complete trust in people to see this latest shenanigan for what it is - a sham at the expense of all of us.”

A copy of the email is below.

Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:32:33 -0700
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Subject: Re: LRT vote

Commuters aren't only the heart and soul of our transit system they are also the bread and butter. Yet none of the options has the train crossing the greenbelt into the largest of Ottawa's suburban communities.

I too was supportive of Mayor Chiarelli's plan because it was the first step in a long term project that under his vision would have eventually had the train go to the suburbs, including Orleans.

I am flabbergasted that a 25 year transit plan would not bring the train to the people who will use it the most, and the people the City NEEDS to use it the most. If suburban residents do not choose transit over their cars then congestion, smog and everything else that comes with more cars will only get worse.

I read this morning that if the bus options were eliminated from any of the plans before council $1 billion could be knocked off the total cost. Can that billion not be used to bring the train to Orleans?

Furthermore, while I am not yet convinced that a downtown tunnel is truly necessary. If we have a proper commuter train system there would be virtually no need for buses through the downtown (Everyone should be on the train!) That saves another $1 billion. Is that not enough to get the train out to Kanata or down to Barrhaven?

Stopping the train at Blair makes no sense whatsoever.

First, the current station will have to be doubled or even tripled in size to accommodate the volume of people that will need to transfer.

Second, even before the increase in size to the station, there isn't any room to build a proper park and ride for a 'hub' transit station.

I truly believe residents of Ottawa are willing to pay more for exceptional service. But forcing residents who currently have a transfer free ride into the core to transfer and forcing them to pay even higher transit fees for that privilege just won't fly.

Commuters (Remember the bread and butter) are already paying a 12.2% increase for the next several years. As prices continue to rise the financial incentive to use public transit will soon be nullified. A couple who both work downtown will soon be able to drive to work for only a few dollars more every day then taking the bus. As those charity ads remind us, that's only a cup of coffee each for the convenience of your car and potentially spending a little more time together each day.

The 4 plans on the table at the moment don't make sense. This is a 25 year plan, why rush into a decision now. Ask staff to cost out bringing the train to Trim road and/or building the Cumberland transit line as an lrt out to Millennium instead of bus - essentially the Collenette plan minus the jaunts outside of Ottawa.

Looking forward to fast, affordable and convenient public transit,

Stephen Blais