Letter to the Editor in response to: “Light Rail not needed” (Southern Courier, January 18th 2014)

The Editor
The Southern Courier

Dear Editor

Re: “Light Rail not needed” by Councillor Robert Belleli

Last week anti-light rail Liberal Councillor Robert Belleli emailed residents suggesting that Kingsford should have a heavy rail station instead of a light rail line.

Now he claims (“Light Rail not needed”) that we have “an almost perfect” bus system. If it is so perfect, why should we replace it with heavy rail? And why not light rail?

Bus capacity has hit a ceiling in the CBD and light rail is more cost effective than heavy rail.

Councillor Belleli ignores many successful light rail systems. Canada’s Galgary system has the potential to move 9,000 passengers per hour with services every 5 minutes or less.

The two can be integrated. Parramatta and Botany Councils both want light rail extensions despite each having heavy rail stations.

Randwick City Greens Councillor
Murray Matson