Council wants a second look

All aboard light rail for Gatineau’s west end?

Bulletin staff

Gatineau council adopted a resolution on April 17 asking the province to include the construction of a light rail system in the city’s west end (Aylmer) in the federal financial assistance program. Gatineau wants the project to be among other projects featured on the list of major mass transit projects in Quebec.

This resolution also sends a clear message to the Société de Transport de l’Outaouais’ administration, which seems lukewarm toward the idea of building light rail. The STO is preparing a second report about a rapid transit network in the west end. The initial report favoured a rapid bus system and was not well received by various officials, including Pontiac MNA André Fortin, the minister for electrification (and transport). The transport minister publicly criticized the STO for publishing a report he considered incomplete.

Hull-Aylmer MP Greg Fergus, also welcomed the second study. Fergus has been arguing for a streetcar-like project. The Action Gatineau party also endorsed a rail proposal, which continues to chug along today.