Durham Regional Staff has asked for $3 million to continue their investigation into the proposed $1 billion gondola transit system in Oshawa, according to Councillor Brian Nicholson.
“A few months ago, I posted online that the Region of Durham wanted to investigate building a $1 billion gondola transit system on Simcoe Street South from Lakeview Park to Durham College. Today, regional staff asked for $3 million to continue their investigation into this boondoggle,” said Nicholson last wednesday on social media.
“Many of us asked strong questions at Regional Council but instead of killing this project completely, by a 13-9 vote, council decided to send it back to staff to develop a communication strategy to sell this plan to you,” said the councillor.
He said the Regional Council claims that the federal or the provincial governments will pay for the cost.
“What they do not tell you is you, the Durham taxpayers, will have to pay the annual operating costs and for all the other improvements to the transit to feed riders into the gondolas,” Councillor Nicholson said.
“In my opinion, there is only one answer that Regional Council should give to this boondoggle and that answer is NO,” he said adding that that is how he voted last time and how he will vote moving forward.
The Gondola Proposal
The proposal is to put aerial gondolas along Simcoe Street to move people rather than by vehicles at a project cost of more that $1 billion.
Nicholson said apart from elevated cable cars, a monorail was also under consideration but was rejected.
“In my view, it is better to spend limited funds on housing and support for those in need than build pipe dreams in the sky. I will not vote for any elected representative, whether federal, provincial or local who supports this boondoggle,” the councillor added.
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How about using the money for this project to rehabilitate the homeless in Durham Region instead. Would be money better spent.
This study is a waste of money when we need to fix our medical and Police systems.