A survey of tech companies in Waterloo Region indicates overwhelming support for Light Rail Transit (LRT) for the area, a survey released today by Communitech shows. As a result, Communitech has formally endorsed option L3 put forward by regional staff for consideration, and plans to convey the survey results to all regional elected officials before the anticipated June vote on rapid transit. Communitech is the not-for-profit organization that supports more than 700 technology companies in Waterloo Region.Of the 570 independent survey respondents, close to 90 percent believe that LRT is “very or somewhat important to their company and co-workers”, 70 percent believe the LRT would benefit the region overall, and more than 50 percent stated that if LRT were constructed, they would use the new system of transportation.“This is a clear endorsement by the people who power our tech ecosystem that LRT is a priority for them,” said Iain Klugman, President and CEO of Communitech. “As one of Canada’s leading tech clusters, this community needs to support existing workers and attract new talent by implementing fast, clean, green and affordable transit solutions.”The survey also indicates that technology companies believe the LRT could alleviate current parking woes in the Region, a challenge for tech companies. Although only about half of the respondents felt well informed about LRT, the majority stated that a strong, viable public transit system is personally important to them.

“We can’t go backwards. The proposed LRT option is the best option for creative talent attraction and to support those who currently work and invest in the regional technology sector,” says Klugman. “Rail transit is what will meet the future needs of this community. Anything less is a half measure, and that’s not the kind of thinking this community was built on.”