Kanata residents are calling stage 2 of Ottawa’s light rail plan a little off-track.
“Kanata's just expanding something wild so I think they should have the rail system out here,” say Ilene Cavanaugh.
The $2.5-billion expansion of the light rail system stops a Bayshore station. Kanata residents will have to connect to the train by bus.
“They don't care if they're getting on a train outside their door or getting on a bus, just get them home as quick as possible,” says area councillor Allan Hubley.
Business owners say rail to their front door would go a long way. They say it doesn’t make any sense that Kanata should be left out considering the growth in the community and other attractions like the Ottawa Senator’s Canadian Tire Centre.
“Orleans doesn't have a giant building that hosts events that people could maybe get to a lot easier if there was rail. Kanata does,” says Clubhouse owner Chris Torti.
Hubley says Kanata will have to wait after the completion of phase two in 2023 to make a pitch for light rail. In the meantime, he says he will focus on improving car and bus commutes.
