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A clash between two rival politicians, just minutes into a meeting to discuss bus rapid transit, underlined the tension around planning the future of London’s transit system.

Politics preceded a presentation from three autonomous vehicle experts on Thursday, as Coun. Phil Squire and deputy mayor Jesse Helmer sparred about the election of a chair for the rapid transit working group, an ad-hoc committee formed to address the city’s proposed rapid transit network.

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Coun. Maureen Cassidy was elected chair over Coun. Michael van Holst, a win that seemed to rub Squire —– a bus rapid transit (BRT) opponent who chaired the working group for a period last council term — the wrong way.

Leaning away from his microphone, Squire repeated “nice work, Jesse,” several times, later asking, “Do you have any sense of fairness for these committees?”

Squire had nominated van Holst for chair, while Helmer — a big rapid transit supporter — nominated Cassidy.

Helmer said after the meeting he responded by pointing to his support for Squire’s election as chair of council’s civic works committee, which makes recommendations on transportation issues.