He began as a skeptic, but Ancaster Councillor Lloyd Ferguson is now a firm believer in light rail transit.

Mr. Ferguson, along with Dundas Councillor Russ Powers and Mayor Fred Eisenberger, recently visited three cities that have embraced LRT. He now supports a Metrolinx plan that would bring LRT to Hamilton sometime during the next 15 years.

Metrolinx Chair Rob MacIsaac has presented a draft transportation strategy that includes three rapid transit routes in Hamilton to be implemented consecutively over 25 years.

A route from McMaster University to Centennial Parkway will be given priority during the plan's first 15 years. A Mohawk Road route from Ancaster to Main Street in Hamilton is included in the plan beyond 25 years.

The councillors' trip, which included stops in Calgary, Portland, OR and Charlotte, NC, was an eye-opener for Mr. Ferguson.

"There's a lot of good reasons to take this to the next step," Mr. Ferguson said.

He said benefits of LRT include reduced labour and energy costs. Mr. Ferguson said LRT trains can carry up to 150 people. Trains run on electricity through overhead wires, reducing the city's reliance on fuel.

Dundas Councillor Russ Powers told his community council at its September meeting that Mr. Ferguson went on the trip as a non-believer, but returned convinced light rail is the right way for Hamilton to go.

Mr. Powers himself raved to his community council members about the light rail systems he rode in Calgary, Portland and Charlotte.

"In all cases, it drove economic development," he said.

But he believes Hamilton is already a few steps ahead, because the city already has strong ridership on a B-Line bus along the proposed lower city light rail route. With 60,000 riders using the route already, Mr. Powers argues there's a committed audience that will only grow.

Mr. Powers told his community council operating cost for a light rail transit system is negligible. He said the likely first light rail route will connect McMaster University to Eastgate Square in Stoney Creek. A rail extension from McMaster to University Plaza in Dundas is planned for later.

"I'm suggesting they can start at University Plaza right away," Mr. Powers said.

Metrolinx public consulation sessions are being held this month. The final plan is expected to be released in November with implementation to begin soon after.

In a presentation to the Ancaster Community Committee, Jill Stephen, manager of strategic Planning in the public works department, said Hamilton is committed to expanding light rail transit as soon as possible.

"We will continue to meet with Metrolinx officials to demonstrate that Hamilton is ready to implement light rail transit now," said Ms. Stephen.