I am thrilled that my motion related to a comparative study between Bus Rapid Transit and LRT passed unanimously at City Council yesterday.

As I said in my closing remarks, I was 11 years old when the first LRT opened.

I remember being a University student living up in Castledowns, and struggling to find a way to get to and from school.

I remember when all of the LRT brakes had to be replaced because the tunnel around the University station was too steep.

And like many Edmontonians in recent memory, I remember the problems associated with signalization along 111 Street, and the most recent troubles with the Metro LRT line.

That’s why I believe so strongly that we need to have informed decision making, based on data. This will help to inform decisions not just with the West Valley LRT line, but for the future of mass transit in our city, including to the Heritage Valley, and to the rest of Ward 9.

I look forward to receiving back a report for the March 21 public hearing, and thank the rest of City Council for being willing to delve deeper into this issue.