[Franky]

Doucet promises ambitious light-rail system


The Ottawa CitizenSeptember 7, 2010 12:16 PM

OTTAWA — Mayoral candidate Clive Doucet is promising to bring a light-rail transit system to Ottawa within four years, beginning with an east-west line down Carling Avenue and an extension of the O-Train to serve Ottawa Airport.

A light-rail line along Laurier Street — Doucet's plan doesn't include a tunnel — would combine with existing Albert and Slater street bus routes to increase transit capacity in the downtown core. The rail line would also extend east to Blair Road within the four-year timeframe, he said.

Speaking to supporters Tuesday morning, Doucet also said he would establish a Go Train-like system to serve Smiths Falls, Richmond, Perth and Casselman. He would also join a lobby group to fight for a high-speed Quebec City to Toronto rail link.

Reporter Joanne Chianello is covering Doucet’s press conference. You can follow her reports on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jchianello
© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

Looks like a sane plan to me. I think a BRT tunnel (using trolley buses) would have a better upgrade path (and still be affordable) because it is grade separated which makes automation possible in the future.