Ottawa light rail money may fund rapid buses

Money previously set aside for Ottawa's light rail project may be used to fund rapid bus projects, city council has decided.

'These things should not be held hostage because we have to sort out our future.' —Coun. Alex Cullen

Council voted Wednesday to include $36 million for expansion ofOttawa's rapid bus transitway in the city's 2007 draft budget, which will be discussed in February before approval of a final budget at the end of that month.

The money was originally set aside for the north-south light rail project that city council cancelled in December and that previously took priority over expanding the rapid bus system.

The cityhas barely startedconsideringwhat major transit project might replace the light rail plan, but Coun. Alex Cullen said that is no reason to sit on the money.

"These things should not be held hostage because we have to sort out our future," he said. "These things can be done today without prejudicing our future."

Spending risky: McRae, Doucet

But Coun. Maria McRae said once the money is in the draft budget, it will almost certainly move beyond just a topic of discussion, which means the money will no longer be around for a new light rail project.

"The minute it gets in the budget, my experience around here shows me that the spenders can't wait to spend it."

'We could still move forward with the whole [light rail] project if council changes its mind. But we can't move forward if we start picking out the bits of the money that support it.' —Coun. Clive Doucet

Coun. Clive Doucet said he favours the bus projects, but is concerned that spending the money too soon could kill any chance of resurrecting the old light rail project.

"We could still move forward with the whole project if council changes its mind," he said. "But we can't move forward if we start picking out the bits of the money that support it."

Therapid bussystem expansionwouldtarget the west, east and the south ends of the city's transitway. Many of the individual projects were planned years ago, and environmental assessments have been completed for most.

If the expansion is approved during budget discussions, council estimated that $100 million will be needed for future building costs. The city would apply to the provincial and federal governments for part of that, but would have to cover one-third itself.

Council also voted Wednesday to get commitments from the federal and provincial governments to provide $200 million each in transit funding for Ottawa that will not be tied to the approval of a particular project.

Coun. Diane Deans said she doubts the upper levels of government will agree to that.

"We can ask," she said. "Will they deliver? I think it's highly improbable."