As we posted about late last week (found HERE) the plans for the Green Line have come to a halt.
A rally to reinstate the Green Line took place at City Hall today, and our Executive Board Member for Community Shuttle, Ian Clark, was there to make remarks on behalf of ATU Local 583.
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The C-train service in Calgary is an essential part of Calgary Transit’s operation. It carries thousands of passengers each and every day from the outreaches of our city to the core.
The green line has been promised to the citizens of the north for many years. It has also been a major part of the planning and development of the south east communities as well. Knowing that there was a plan for a train line to service these areas made decisions to buy and live remotely more acceptable. Citizens in these areas have been waiting a long time to finally have a plan in place to achieve this. Having the rug pulled out from their feet is purely cold hearted and ruthless. Making plans and starting the process was invigorating for residents of the communities involved. There was a renewed optimism in areas where the train was going to run. Having the funding lifted has put a sword through many a soles. The talk of more negotiations on where the green line should or shouldn’t run is becoming extremely costly. The provincial government’s proposal to run it up the Deerfoot corridor is ridiculous! The infrastructure has not been laid in this area and after Huntington Hills, the line would be out of the way for all the areas North of that. Having the attitude of “If we build it, I hope they will come use it!” is scandalous! The line needs to service the neighbourhoods where the people are. It has been mentioned in the past that the rapid transit servicing the Northern Hills is at its capacity. The Green Line would alleviate most of the congestion and open up new opportunities for further expansion.
Calgary is a metropolis and needs to be treated as one. Please reconsider the harsh reality that comes with shifting gears on this project. It’s taken years to get to this point and still years away from completion. Reorganizing and redesigning the plan again will add many more years and much more cost to the outcome.
A reminder that you can contact your Member of Parliament to have your say on keeping the plans for the Green Line: CLICK HERE