The debate over rapid transit, and light rail specifically, continues at the city level ahead of a decision by regional council that is expected in June following a final series of public consultations.

The plan recommended by Waterloo Region staff includes light rail transit (LRT) through Kitchener and Waterloo and adapted bus rapid transit (aBRT) to Cambridge.

On Tuesday, Cambridge City Council voted unanimously against supporting LRT, saying the city should be treated fairly.

Cambridge Councillor Karl Kiefer says "We're not happy with the light rail transit proposals that are on the table…as I see it right now 20 years down the road isn't good enough."

The city would prefer to have aBRT through all three cities and Kiefer says "We need to send a clear message to the Region of Waterloo and their staff."

Now, Kitchener Councillor Frank Etherington wants that city to voice its point of view, "On Monday I will be presenting a motion asking for a discussion of the whole rapid transit issue."

He says his constituents feel like the opinions of local councils are not being heard. "If all councils discussed this and then made their feelings known to the region, I think it would have an impact," he says.

Meanwhile, public consultations on rapid transit continue, and regional staff says it's not up to them to gauge public or political opinion. The decision lies with regional council.

Regional Councillor Jim Wideman says "Do I put weight on the polls and some of the surveys that are done? Of course you do, but at the end of the day you need to show leadership."

With all the opposing points of view, Wideman doesn't expect there will be a consensus among councillors when decision time comes in June.

"For me it's a leadership issue, taking leadership and looking forward 30 years, what we think our community should or would look like," he says.