The group “Ready to Engage” is opposed to a plan for rapid transit along 14th Street S.W. and on Monday presented City Hall with a 4000 signature petition against the plan.
The plan includes dedicated bus lanes along 14th Street S.W. between Glenmore Trail and Southland Drive. Members of the lobby group say the city failed to properly consult the public about the plan.
“We hope the city will reevaluate the project and implement the proper engagement policy as specified by the city,” said Maurice Tims, spokesperson for the group. “We are also concerned about the cost of the project, it’s grossly underestimated at $40 million, the ridership isn’t there, there is a $5.4 million per year operating cost, so it’s just not economic.”
Mayor Naheed Nenshi called off open house meetings on the project last month, after reports of verbal abuse against city staff, something Tims said never happened.
“He used this as an excuse to cancel all future engagements with citizens and even called in the police for a criminal investigation, the police responded and investigated for about two weeks and announced that there was no criminal activity.”
The entire transitway project is meant to run from downtown Calgary to Mount Royal University and Rockyview Hospital. Construction is set to start this summer and finish in late 2018.
