[EN IMAGES] Public transport in Quebec: Kosalin supports a light metro

Opposing any heavy transport system for Quebec four years ago, mayoral candidate Jean-Franசois Kozulin defends a light metro and trombus project that now costs $ 2.9 billion.

• read more: Tramway: Labyrinth hopes to get his order in early July

• read more: Configuration Network: The tram is one year late

• read more: According to the head of Quebec 21, the tram will be a “ballot box question.”

The opposition Quebec 21 party announced its plan on Wednesday with much fanfare, backed by a “light automatic underground electric vehicle” (Walls). The light metro will run from Quebec’s aquarium, at the head of the bridges, to Parliament Hill via Laval University, while an antenna will travel a total of 13.5 kilometers to Marley with this mode of transport.

To serve east of the city, the political party will renovate the trombus, which extends from Parliament Hill to Beaufort via de Estimaville, but it will avoid Limoilo and Mycertெட்s, including the Hospital de Elfont-Jesus. These fields will be provided by another trump line that is not included in the current plan and will only come in the second phase.

Including the two modes, the future network will serve 17 stations and four interchange hubs at a total cost of $ 2.925 billion, with a $ 3.3 billion Quebec tramway, 19.3 km and its 28 or 29 stations planned. The inauguration will be in 2028 like a tram.

“On the same budget, citizens will have a choice between a tramway project or Wasley, and on November 7, they will have a historic choice,” Jean-Franசois Gossell announced at the conference center when he clearly wanted to hit a big blow.

He had “no plans” in 2017

This was a major change for the president of Quebec 21, who realized in the 2017 election that there was not enough population capital to justify a strong mode of service, including fast service by bus, and that the RTC had not put even a penny in it despite the improvement in services.

“When I introduced myself in 2017, I came in, I was new, my team was new, we had no plans. I am with you openly, we have no plan, we are not there, ”Mr. Kosal humbly agreed.

“I remember you and others asking me a question: ‘What are your plans for the districts?’

Different environment

The announcement of the tram in March 2018 was a game changer, as governments are willing to provide $ 3.3 billion, he says. “There, the money is on the table. Citizens agree to go further with a public transportation plan.”

“I present to you the result of three full years of work, on which I am going to make a choice, and I want to get a clear mandate from the people,” he attacked the elected official.

The head of Quebec 21 said he “believes we have the best plan for the city of Quebec” because construction does not require tearing down roads or cutting down mature trees, and the tunnel would be more suitable. In addition to the Quebec climate, according to him, the city center can benefit from the “terrain advantage” of seated advertising.

The government did not comment

The Office of the Minister of Transport has signaled that it will not comment on the Quebec 21 project.

“We will not interfere in municipal campaigns and, as a result, will not answer imaginary questions,” the minister’s press secretary, Florence Florde, said in a written statement. It is not mentioned. The current municipal administration’s tramway project, however, is still a component of the Rizo Express de la Capitol.

Mr. Gossal’s plan received a very cold reception from the potential organization Access Transport, which was denounced as “lacking in seriousness and realism” by a press release.

The Quebec 21 proposal greatly underestimates the cost of building a metro in Quebec City. In comparison, the blue line stretch in Montreal would cost more than $ 6 billion for 5.8 km. Mr. Kozulin is either too badly declared, or he is deliberately cutting costs to carry out his plan, which would be too irresponsible on his part. I call on him to tell the truth to the people, ”said Director-General Etienne Grantmond.

“I understand that Mr. Labyum is sending his cheerleaders.” Kosalin replied. “Are we improving public transportation, that’s all he can say?” He said about Mr. Grantmond.

– Parliamentary Office, in collaboration with Mark-Andre Cognon