Friday, May 27, 2016
City of London
Committee endorses Full Bus Rapid Transit
City Council's Strategic Priorities and Policies Committee has endorsed Full Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as the best alternative for London with the potential to move to Light Rapid Transit (LRT) in the future when ridership increases.
The committee's recommendation for Full BRT now goes to City Council for final approval on May 31.
The entire 24-km system is estimated to cost $500 million. The business case for the project will now be presented to both the Federal and Provincial Governments to discuss funding partnerships. The City has committed $129 million, largely covered by development charges, to the project.
The vote to approve Full BRT came after a Public Participation Meeting in Council Chambers where many Londoners voiced their preferences for either Full BRT or a Hybrid LFT system that would have used both buses and light rail.
"This is city building. This is the London Plan. Rapid transit will build a more modern, prosperous and environmentally sustainable community," Mayor Matt Brown said. "This will be the largest infrastructure project in the city's history and will produce more than $1.3 billion in transportation, environmental and economic benefits during the next 20 years.
"This has been a long process that included an engagement effort that heard from more than 4,000 Londoners in more than 100 community meetings," the Mayor said. "There was vigorous community debate around the benefits of various options and I am confident the committee has recommended the right system for London."
The Full BRT system, from White Oaks mall in the south to Masonville Place in the north, and from Fanshawe College in the east to Oxford and Wonderland in the west, will feature dedicated bus lanes, modern stations as well as a rapid transit tunnel under the CP rail tracks at Oxford and Richmond.
If approved, construction of the system is expected to begin in 2018 with the Full BRT operational by 2027.
Background:
The Full Bus Rapid Transit option is the most cost effective investment solution that meets ridership needs, providing more frequent, reliable and faster service that has significant benefits from an economic growth, social, environmental and city building perspective, including:
- Reduced transit travel times
- Improved the reliability of the transit service
- Improved air quality
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
- Improved road safety
- Short and long term employment and economic development
- City building and urban regeneration opportunities
Media Contact:
Rob Paynter
Director, Communications and Public Engagement
City of London
519-661-2500 ext 4783
rpaynter@london.ca
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