Who is best to run and maintain LRT?

THE SPECTATOR’S VIEW

No one can blame the Amalgamated Transit Union for going after operation and maintenance of Hamilton’s upcoming Light Rail Transit when it is up and running. That’s what unions do. It would be more surprising if the ATU didn’t campaign to have LRT under its wing.

Similarly, you can’t really fault Hamilton city council for backing the ATU’s bid by supporting a motion put forward by Coun. Matthew Green to ask the province to allow the HSR to operate and maintain LRT. How would it look if council didn’t support one of its main unions? It’s fair to ask, however, why this is only happening now when it has been known since Day 1 that Metrolinx will own and operate LRT, including deciding who will run and operate the system. This has never been “Hamilton’s” LRT, it has always been the province’s initiative, supported by Hamilton. So why it took this long for the ATU bid to surface and for council to respond is puzzling to say the least. The optics aren’t great, and the fear that the relatively lastminute change projects uncertainty is understandable.

But the question now is this: Is having HSR and its ATU staff operate and maintain LRT the best thing for the city? For transit? For taxpayers? For users of the system? That’s another question entirely, and it should be the one that drives the decision when it is finally made. We don’t agree with the assertion by some that public transit, by its very nature, has to be publicly operated. It should be operated by the best operator. Period. In Hamilton, no doubt that is the Hamilton Street Railway. But the transit arm of the city isn’t in the business anymore of operating and maintaining light rail track and vehicles. What’s the learning curve? How much will it cost? Will taxpayers and transit users necessarily be better served?

There’s a bit of a sense of entitlement to the ATU’s lobbying effort, and on the part of others who support the HSR driving and maintaining LRT. Rather than assuming that is the best outcome, let’s first hear why that’s the case. In fact, if the ATU is convinced it is the best choice, why doesn’t it put together a bid for the work and present it to whichever consortium is selected? Back it up with numbers, a business case and evidence to prove the case. The province, which will ultimately decide if HSR/ATU is in the running at all, would probably see the wisdom in that course of action. We all want the same thing here. Yes, that includes LRT jobs that pay a fair wage. It also includes what’s best for the taxpaying homeowner, for the city’s budget and strategy going forward, and for transit users, both current and future. If HSR/ATU are confident they fit the bill, make the case.

But don’t assume LRT will be handed over on a platter without considering all other viable options. Howard Elliott