Bruce Ricketts Letter

In 1983 I was a candidate in the Calgary municipal election.   One of the topics of conversation at the time was LRT service for the Northeast of the city.  The debate followed a much heralded introduction of LRT service to the southern parts of the city.  LRT was new, it was sexy, it was “proven” and we had more money than we knew what to do with. (The recession was about to hit but we did not care to notice.)

During the campaign I took a cautious view of the project, not because it was the safe thing to do but because it was the right thing to do. 

Much has been written in this 2010 Ottawa election about the efficiency and effectiveness of the Calgary LRT system and the experience of it has been used to sell the idea of an Ottawa LRT versus an expanded Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).   But is everything rosy in Calgary’s LRT-land?

A 2002 report to Calgary city council suggests there are alternatives.  In part the report states:

“Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is emerging in North and South America as a relatively low cost means of providing a faster, higher capacity, bus-based transit service along urban transportation corridors. Experience shows that BRT is attractive to urban travelers since it reduces transit travel times and provides frequent, high capacity service.”

The report goes on to say:

“…BRT passenger capacities will exceed conventional bus service and can approach LRT capabilities.”  and  “Capital and operating cost data indicate that Bus Rapid Transit applications are significantly less expensive to construct than LRT”

Let me reinforce that these quotes are from a 2002 report to Calgary City Council, not from me or from Andy Hayden.  This report underscores that, even in a city with a successful LRT, the idea of BRT is not just tossed onto the rubbish bin.  Should not Ottawans have the choice?

Bruce Ricketts

613 292 1061

ricketts@mysteriesofcanada.com

Business Community All Candidates Meeting sponsored by the Ottawa Business News

There will be no debate today merely another in a long line of 30 second sound bites - with no substance.

What can I say that has not already been said and been ignored by the press

As a result most Citizens never hear my message

I am the only one who has presented a series of visions to enhance our community.

1 The redevelopment of the Prince of Wales Bridge to remove trucks from King Edward and to remove the STO Gatineau buses from Rideau and Wellington.

2 A low level control dam at the Des Chenes Rapids to allow a parkway connection to the lower

Alymer Road

, An opportunity to create electricity, a water reservoir, and a method of keeping safe water levels in Lac Des Chenes.

3 Incineration of all garbage and the production of electricity.

4.  Immediate expansion of the Bus Rapid Transit system to the outer parts of the City- with a BRT Tunnel – however with the LRT system no expansion for 10 years.

5 Second Greenbelt

All of these are substantial footsteps to a better Ottawa.  All contribute to the quality of our lives and would encourage tourism and further future innovation for city planning.

A vote for Haydon is not a vote for someone new.  It is a vote for someone proven to be, for the citizens, and with the citizens.

I am not in this race for fame, nor am I here as a stepping stone from one elite political post to another

I came out of retirement as I felt I had a message for the people of Ottawa and the ability to improve the quality of everyone’s life while at the same time set the cornerstones for a pay as you go system of financial responsibility.

I am the only candidate who is here for nothing other than what I can do for you.  As I have done in the past.

Choosing LRT is many times worse than the dysfunctional Amalgamation

Will history repeat itself in Ottawa with Streetcars – LRT?

A guaranteed calamity!

It’s up to you.

CJOH Intro Speech

Winston Churchill said that the greatest characteristic of a person is courage … the courage to tell the truth

The City debt in the past 4 years has tripled, an  increase of 300% to over 1 billion dollars.  O’Brien kept this from you.

Not only shocking but devastating to the taxpayers who must now pay 80 million dollars a year for this debt

Why didn’t Watson tell you this truth?

He now realizes that 2.5 is totally unattainable.

It takes courage to tell the truth

Watson blindly endorses O’Brien’s extravagant streetcar plan which requires yet, another billion dollars in borrowing.

Watson doesn’t have the courage to tell you this truth either.

The public has a right to know why Watson chooses streetcars instead of bus rapid transit.  He just refuses to debate me and deal with the truth.

Watson says taxes, transit, and trust, is his slogan,

Trust and truth …. Just a couple of meaningless words to him.

I will always tell you what you need to know – the Truth and The Facts.

A Streetcar Named LRT Disaster

DENVER
In 2004 they approved a 4.7 billion dollar project to add 6 new light rail lines.  The voters agreed to a 0.4% sales tax.  The cost has risen to 6.5 billion and today only 1 track is being built.  Tax revenues are now estimated at less than half of what was forecast, and the result is a funding shortfall of 2.4 billion dollars.  They are considering another 0.4% sales tax to 0.8% (almost 1%).  Tax payers are enraged. 

HOUSTON
The operating costs have risen so dramatically to pay for their LRT, that the fare structure has been increased to a level so high that ridership has plummeted.  The taxpayers will have to pay the difference.
The low income people can't afford to use it.  Another LRT disaster.

PORTLAND
The City of Ottawa extolled the virtues of the Portland system, and wanted to replicated it here in Ottawa.  The Portland LRT system receives only 15% of the operating costs from the fare box.  The remaining 85% is the taxpayers cross to bear.

EDINBOURGH
Their LRT system under construction is swamped in cost overruns with the Siemens Corporation. 

LRT is a giant HOAX which makes contractors rich and taxpayers poor.  It’s a money pit.

Question from a Supporter

From a supporter - with permission

Your interview this morning on CBC was excellent. Never were you lacking with quantifiable responses with the exception of one of the last questions which you recall, dealt with getting your message out to the public.   Congratulations.

We have long supported you in your career and wish you the very best.

Can you not, or have you already challenged the other candidates, particularly Jim Watson to debate with you on light rail?  This is so very hard to understand when your information appears so very clear and well researched. Our community needs to be enlightened or at least more publically informed of the pros and cons.

Both Jim and I were disturbed that you were not included in the interviews we heard yesterday on CBC and unfortunately, I missed any explanation today.

I have repeatedly asked Jim Watson to debate 1 on 1 with me over this transportation issue.  He won't do it.

The Big Picture

Transit is not just one issue; it is the issue that underscores the need to make better and affordable decisions on behalf of current and future taxpayers.

Introduction

Would you spend $6.6 billion to increase transit ridership by 7%?

Transit riders want fast, reliable, comfortable, environmentally friendly and affordable service and taxpayers – transit and non-transit users - want value for their dollar.

The City of Ottawa is about to embark on a phased 20-year $6.6 billion project to increase transit use in the nation’s capital by 7% between now and 2031.[1] The return on that investment of your taxes - be they federal, municipal or provincial, user fees or development charges - is a wasteful use of your hard-earned money.

What do we really need now – a $750 million investment or a $2.1 billion expense?

One of the major issues bus passengers experience are the delays and inconveniences experienced because of bus gridlock in the downtown core which has a domino affect on service throughout Ottawa.

There is no disagreement on the need for a tunnel to alleviate that congestion and improve service.  A bus tunnel constructed at a cost of $735 million will solve that problem and it will leave immediate options open to improve and extend the transitway east, south and west.

·         The construction of twin, single lane bus tunnels will improve the downtown flow which will improve the overall speed of the system.

·         A 10% increase in speed will result in an annual cost savings of $40 million;

·         180 fewer buses will be needed – another enormous saving

·         An improved transit system by 2015 with less disruption to transit users

·         It builds on a transit system that is rates as best in North America based on rides per capita by American and Canadian transit Professional Associations.

In October 2009, the City unveiled a plan in which it identified a capital funding requirement estimated at $6.6 billion for new transit infrastructure between 2010 and 2029.[2]  A total of $3.9 billion is required for transit improvements scheduled to take place between 2010 and 2019. The balance of the funding plan - $2.7 billion for 2019-2029 – has been identified but not refined.

The  comparisons on Street Car Rapid transit and Bus Rapid Transit are based on City of Ottawa financial data and reflect the net costs to the City - $849.3 million for street car vs. $8.3 million for bus.

 

More Devastating Financial News - Media Advisory

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Media Advisory – More Devastating Financial News

Thursday, October 14, 2010– Merv Beckstead, former Chief Administration Officer of the City of Nepean and The Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton and David Muir, Chartered Accountant and Senior Member of the Ottawa Transition Board will provide some factual information that heretofore has been withheld from the public.

The floor will be opened for questions following their presentation.

WHAT:      News conference featuring Merv Beckstead and David Muir 

WHEN:     Thursday, October 14, 2010, 2 p.m.

WHERE:    2^nd floor ,

301 Moodie Drive, Nepean

– The Atrium Building

Notes for media:

There is ample parking

For further information: Sherry Franklin (613) 825 5550, sjcom@magma.ca