I would like to congratulate and thank Helmut Blanken for his insightful analysis of the value of the E&N Rail corridor. His points are right on when it comes to the future and valuable use of the rail system.
I must point out, however, that should the rail infrastructure be torn up the corridor will fail to exist and will be disassembled with no future use available. Even currently existing trail infrastructure may be lost.
At the same time I say shame on David Slade who has painted a completely erroneous picture. Most of what he says is impractical and valueless. His figures have no relevancy. Slade’s focus is entirely selfish as he speaks about bike riders and trail users.
The Island population is made up of many others who neither ride bikes nor walk the trails. Which, by the way, would still be available along with the rail services. Something for everyone. Does that not work?
As someone who has been part of the rail process from the beginning I can tell you the one and only possible and valuable use of the corridor is for rail with trail.
And I mean rail of all types. Passenger (two types), tourist and freight. Various possibilities exist in different ways on different parts of the corridor. Commuter in the western communities. Intercity passenger on the entire system. Tourist rail in various ways on various sections. And freight again in different ways on different sections of the corridor.
I travelled to Victoria the other day and travelling beside one of the dual trailer gravel trucks I received a rock in my windshield. How many of you have suffered the same fate? Freight service on the corridor would get these very large, dual trailer gravel trucks off the road. Less wear and tear on the highway and I’m sure much less windshield damage to passenger vehicles.
There’s a huge opportunity for freight services from the port of Nanaimo to Port Alberni in both directions.
As for cost versus revenue, all passenger rail services in the biggest cities, smaller communities and everywhere else requires some subsidy. The corridor, however, has revenue producers through the freight and tourist operations. First Nations and municipalities alike will gain from developers wanting to develop areas around station sites. Our Island is growing in leaps and bounds.
We need to address environmental issues. The railway does all of that and more. Let’s take a page out of the rest of the world that uses rail services extensively. Additionally, the entire country of Canada deserves more passenger rail services, particularly in the west and the east. Ontario and Quebec already are being well-served by rail with more to come. The balance of the country deserves the same. Let’s get it done. Every day lost is an increase in cost. Do it now!
Jack Peake,
Duncan