Hamilton council confirms that it wants HSR to run LRT - but will Metrolinx listen?

It's official Hamilton city council wants its transit agency to run the new light rail transit (LRT) system.

But Metrolinx's head of the project says he's still not sure if the province will agree.

Councillors cast a ratification vote Fridaytopush for HSR to run the line, which is scheduled to open in 2024.

Metrolinx has already issued a request for qualificationfor consortiums to design, build, finance, operate and maintain LRT. HSR can only do two of those.

Andrew Hope, Metrolinx's head of the Hamilton LRT project, says the agency and the province will examine the request. That includes whether it's fair to just pick an operator outside of a competitive bid process.

"We want to maintain an open and fair procurement process that's fair to people who have submitted bids," he said.

Coun. Matthew Green moved the motion to advocate forHSR running the system. He described it as a starting position for negotiations. He also said choosing HSR would meanthe jobs will remain local and unionized, and that a public-private partnership is effectively privatizing the busy transit route.

Councilvoted 11-2. But it's not an easy issue.

One councillor in favour of LRT Aidan Johnson of Ward 1 voted against Green's motion. Lloyd Ferguson of Ward 12 did too at the committee level, fearing it would slow down the schedule. City staff confirmed that possibility.

Ferguson also said it risks pushing LRT construction past the next provincial election, making it vulnerable to a change ingovernment.

Hope said it's too early to know how Metrolinx and the province will respond, and what will happen to the results of the request for qualifications.

Who was in favour:

Matthew Green (Ward 3), Sam Merulla (4), Chad Collins (5), Tom Jackson (6), DonnaSkelly (7), Terry Whitehead (8), Maria Pearson (10), Arlene VanderBeek (13), Judi Partridge (15),Jason Farr (2),BrendaJohnson (11)

Who was opposed:

Aidan Johnson (1), Robert Pasuta (14)

Here's what else is on the agenda:

• A decision to abstain from any soccer-related business with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats until litigation is resolved between the two.
• Turning down a Valery (Chedoke Brow) Development application to destroy trees after the developer cut down 106 trees earlier this year.
• Looking into reducing the speed limit on the Lincoln Alexander and Red Hill Valley Parkways from 90 km/h to 80 km/h.

CBC Hamilton reporter Samantha Craggs will tweet live from the meeting. Follow her at @SamCraggsCBC or in the window below.

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