Deja vu Debate: Mayoral candidates spar over BRT
Four years after bus rapid transit (BRT) dominated the municipal election in London, candidates still spar over the issue.
On Monday, five candidates running for the mayor’s office took part in a panel discussion hosted by political science students at King’s University College.
The two-hour event began with candidates sharing ideas from their campaign platforms to address homelessness, housing and diversity.
The tone changed however, when questions turned to the bus rapid transit system.
“My friend didn’t vote for it,” said Khalil Ramal referring to presumed front runner Josh Morgan. “And we now have a transit system that is like a chair with only two legs. We lost the other two legs.”
Morgan fired back saying, “Anyone who says this was killed, or voted away in some way, it is the inferior route that was not approved,” said Morgan. “And there is an opportunity to find a better solution to transit out that way.”
Morgan argued that operating rapid transit buses in mixed traffic lanes along Wharncliffe Road would have been problematic.
In March 2019, Council supported the south, east and downtown BRT routes.
Morgan voted against the west route and declared a conflict of interest regarding the north route that would have crossed the campus of Western University, his employer.
Federal and provincial funding originally intended for the north and west routes was later directed towards bike infrastructure and a new London Transit HQ to accommodate an electric bus fleet.
Morgan added that the Mobility Master Plan (MMP) will include plans to improve the movement of drivers, transit passengers, cyclists and pedestrians in north and west London.
Public input is currently being gathered for the MMP.
Other candidates on the panel took the opportunity to use BRT to differentiate themselves from Morgan and the decisions of the current city council.
Sandie Thomas told the audience that transit decisions must consider all Londoners, “We have mothers trying to pick up their children from daycare and they are late because of the congestion that is happening.”
“I ride the transit system every day,” explained Sean O’Connell. “I know what its like to go from the south end of town to the north end of town. It’s very time consuming.”
The panel discussion was one of the last opportunities for Londoners to hear from mayoral candidates before advanced polls open Oct. 8.
Election Day is Oct. 24.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.