Yves Ducharme advocates for conditional approval of Gatineau Tramway Project

Tashi Farmilo

At a press conference held at the Parc-o-bus at 852 Rivermead on the morning of May 6, Yves Ducharme, a candidate for mayor of Gatineau, outlined his conditional support for the proposed tramway project aimed at serving the western part of the city. Ducharme emphasized a "responsible yes" to the tramway, setting forth specific conditions that must be met for the project to proceed.

Ducharme stressed the importance of rigorous feasibility studies, insisting that they be funded by various levels of government. These studies must demonstrate that the tramway is the best option for enhancing transportation in Gatineau's western areas. He also called for assurances that both the implementation and operational costs of the tramway would not financially overburden Gatineau residents. "We don't want to write a blank check," Ducharme stated. "We say yes, a responsible yes—of course there are conditions, and then there are measures. So, if these conditions are respected, we will be able to move forward."

While the tramway project remains in the planning stages, Ducharme has proposed several immediate actions to enhance transportation services in the west of Gatineau. His proposals include introducing on-demand transportation services, similar to those currently available in the Buckingham and Masson-Angers sectors provided by the Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO). Additionally, he suggests increasing the frequency of main bus lines during peak periods and raising the cost of passes for residents of other municipalities who benefit from STO services.

Ducharme's cautious yet forward-looking approach reflects a growing awareness among Gatineau's leadership of the need for sustainable and financially viable transportation solutions. As the election nears, his stance on the tramway project is likely to be a pivotal issue for voters concerned with urban development and public expenditure.

Photo caption: At a press conference held at the Parc-o-bus on 852 Rivermead on the morning of May 6, Yves Ducharme, one of the candidates for mayor of Gatineau, advocated for conditional approval of the Gatineau Tramway Project.

Photo credit: Tashi Farmilo