Hamilton's head of transit is leaving the city

Hamilton's head of transit, DavidDixon, is leaving after less than two years with the city.

But he says it's another job, not politics or disagreementsaround light rail transit (LRT), that prompted the decision.

City manager Chris Murray sent anemailto citycouncillorsTuesdaymorning about Dixon's departure, saying Dixon has "decided to leave" the City of Hamilton. His last day is June 18.

Dixon told CBC Hamilton he has "a new opportunity" elsewhere, but declined to say where it was. It's another transit job, he said.

Whoever comes in, they're going to have to let himor her run the show the way it needs to be run.- Eric Tuck, president, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 107

"It's an unsolicited offer I've decided to follow."

Dixon's departure isa surprise move that comes at a crucial time,just as the city is working withMetrolinxto implement LRT in Hamilton. It leaves the city searching for a new head of transit as debate about the $1 billion project heats up around city hall.

Dixon, a former chief operating officer with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), washired in October 2014. He started his new job off with a bang, telling city council in February 2015 that the transit system wasn't working for riders or drivers.

He controversiallyrecommended a $301million, 10-year plan to improve HSR, including $200 million for a new bus maintenance storage facilityjust as the city was working at getting provincial fundingfor a light rail system.

In response to Dixon's report, he city asked the province for $301million. That caused friction with somepro-LRTcouncillors, including Mayor FredEisenberger, who worried then that it wouldmuddy the watersand jeopardize Hamilton's chance at getting a fully funded LRT system.

We're having to go now into the process of hiring a new transit director at a time when we should be hitting the gas pedal on making the changes we need to make to our transit system.- Ryan McGreal, Hamilton transit advocate

Ultimately, the province didn't give Hamilton the $301 million, but agreed thatMetrolinxwould build LRT in Hamilton.

Dixon has presented a measured view of LRT, saying the city has to focus on building up ridership and improving its existing system first.

"Transit here has got a great future," he said on Tuesday. "I think it's going to be a combination of some type of higher order and local transit."

'I'm not about to get in the middle of that debate'

"The LRTfits in with that," he said. But"I'm not about to get in the middle of that debate."

Politics around Hamilton's planned $1 billion LRT system weren't a factor of him leaving, he said.

"Absolutely not," he said when asked. "An offer came my way, and as much as I love what's happening here, I've decided to take that offer."

Eric Tuck, president ofAmalgamated Transit Union Local 107, says if Dixon was driven by anything, it was likely frustration over dealing with city hall bureaucracy.

He dealt with a "divided council" on transit issues, Tuck said. "It was difficult to keep them focused going forward."

"Whoever comes in, they're going to have to let himor her run the show the way it needs to be run."

Build ridership first, union says

Tuck doesn't see this as changing the city's course on LRT. Tuck, like Dixon, believes the city should build ridership in the years leading up to LRT.

"You're going to have to build up the ridership or it's going to be a drag on the system," Tuck said.

"Dave had the right plan."

Ryan McGreal, a Hamilton transit and LRT advocate, said he's heard "mixed statements" about Dixon's support for LRT, but can't speak for Dixon's support for the system.

He hasbeen inspired, he said, by many of Dixon's speeches about building the local transit system.

The timing of Dixon's departure is unfortunate, McGreal said.

Hope is successor is excited about LRT

"We're having to go now into the process of hiring a new transit director at a time when we should be hitting the gas pedal on making the changes we need to make to our transit system."

"I would hope whoever the city hires as anew transit director is someone who is really excited about the province investing $1 billion into LRT."

In his email to city councillors, Murray said"Dave has played a significant role in his two years here."

"He was instrumental in the development of the 10-year transit strategy, (the) accessible transit delivery strategy and the LRT project," Murray wrote.

Dixon spent about two and a half years as the TTC's chief operating officer. Before that, he was deputy general manager of rail operations and held positions as a superintendent for bothbus maintenance and streetcars.

Meanwhile, city council will vote on June 15 to reaffirm its acceptance of an LRT system in Hamilton.