Some West Island citizens and politicians want better commuter train service, and they took their concerns to Montreal city hall Thursday evening.
Pointe Claire mayor Bill McMurchie was among the group of protesters, and submitted a resolution asking for funding to improve train service for commuters living in West Island suburbs.
At off-peak hours, the Agence metropolitaine de transport (AMT) trains come about once every two hours. Those who lobbied at city hall said they want to see trains arrive every 30 minutes during those hours, and every 15 minutes during the morning and evening rush hour.
"West Islanders -- we're always forgotten," said one frustrated commuter, speaking to CTV Montreal reporter Paul Karwatsky at the Lionel Groulx metro station.
Former Beaconsfield mayor Bob Benedetti called the situation unfair.
"This is one of those situations where it's a no-brainer, but politics enters into the equation," he said.
Manon Barbe, the Montreal Executive Committee member responsible for transport, said the city is open to the resolution submitted by McMurchie.
"We fully agree with the motion on the table tonight," she said.
But former MP Clifford Lincoln, who supports the resolution, said funding will be an issue, because money from the Quebec government is tied up in a different transport plan: a train shuttle from downtown to Trudeau Airport.
"Once we've expended $200 million from the Quebec government as well as $200 million from the feds, there won't be any more money for us," said Lincoln.
The debate heated up, but was cut short for some who had to leave the meeting hours early -- because they had to catch the last rush hour train back home.
