OTTAWA — Ottawa Centre Green candidate David Chernushenko will host a forum on Friday, January 20 concerning the City of Ottawa’s existing plans for a North-South light rail transit line. Present at the forum will be representatives from the City Centre Coalition, and Transport 2000.

The forum will be an opportunity for community members and interested groups to describe their concerns with the City’s plans, and identify ways in which it can be improved.

Concerns are mounting over the City’s intention to close the successful O-Train service for at least a year, to locate the train maintenance facility in the Greenbelt, the use of a surface route through the downtown core, and the absence of service to Ottawa’s Airport or across the Prince of Wales railway bridge into Gatineau.

David Chernushenko has been calling for a smarter transit approach that will deliver a better result at a lower cost and with less environmental impact. The federal and provincial governments have pledged $200 million each toward the first phase of the project, with the city contributing the balance of the projected $725 million cost. Chernushenko argues that the City’s LRT plans are too costly, will take too long, and will strain the province’s already over-burdened energy grid.

WHAT: Forum for Smarter Rail Expansion
WHERE: 615 Bank St. (Two blocks south of the Queensway, at Patterson)
WHEN: 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 20.