No decision yet from Queen’s Park on whether Hamilton will operate its own LRT

There’s no sign of clarity on a key light rail transit (LRT) related question in Hamilton.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has not given a definitive answer on whether the province will agree to Hamilton’s request to operate and maintain the city’s proposed 14-kilometre LRT line.

Wynne said only that “we’re reviewing it” and that “we want the system to work the very best for Hamiltonians.”  She made the comments during a media event at the Sackville Seniors Centre on Tuesday morning.

City councillors made their request for operational control, through the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR), during a meeting in August.

Wynne also steered clear of speculation that soaring absenteeism among HSR’s drivers, which has reached 19 per cent and resulted in an average of 23 “no show” buses per day in October, could harm the city’s request.

Construction of Hamilton’s LRT line, from Eastgate Square to McMaster University, is to begin in 2019 and continue until 2024.

The issues facing the HSR are likely to be a dominant issue during Wednesday evening’s regular meeting of Hamilton City Council.