To the editor,
Re: Passenger rail a lost cause, Letters, Jan. 8.
This letter began by saying it was sad to read a letter advocating rail on the Island, but I found this letter much sadder. What is truly sad is the state of political defeat and apathy amongst Islanders which has led to our Island lacking essential transportation links as our population grows.
While the letter writer may be correct that a return to passenger rail is a lost cause, this is still very bad policy. The writer cites ridership details from more than 10 years ago and a vast number of retirees have since relocated to the Island. A rail system would be more environmentally friendly, would allow seniors access to Victoria for day trips and would relieve congestion on the Malahat. Part of the reason the dayliner was not viable many years ago was that it went the wrong way; it travelled from Victoria in the morning up the Island when the vast majority required service to Victoria, not the other way around. When you add this to the passenger ferry fiasco you can see that Island residents are getting shafted by governments.
Daniel Companion, Nanaimo
RELATED: B.C. gov’t to fund assessment of rail line that runs through Nanaimo
To the editor,
Re: Passenger rail a lost cause, Letters, Jan. 8.
Nanaimo is saturated with trails. I drive from the south to the north using both highways. For years I’ve counted the number of users. On any given day, the average, over the years, is six to 10 on the E&N and the Parkway trails. I challenge anyone to do their count. These trail fanatics should volunteer to maintain these trails they are so passionate about, not taxpayers.
Another question, about the rail study. Ripping up the tracks and making a trail, I’d say would probably cost as much as restoring the whole railway line. And it would be a one- or two-year novelty, then dead like the E& N and Parkway trails, unused by most.
Nanaimo has a functional section of track. The tankers roll through town almost daily, safe and sound tracks carry them. So they could have a slow-moving bud car or trolley going from the Wellcox lands to Beban Park.
Neil Saunders, Nanaimo
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Elect those who support rail
To the editor,
Re: Passenger rail a lost cause, Letters, Jan. 8.
About four or five years ago I wrote to the editor and also the premier of B.C. and the transportation minister, with copies to the director of the Island Corridor Foundation. My solution to this nearly 11-year-old problem? A monorail train system based on the same systems now running in Seattle for 53 years and Disneyland and Epcot. The system is a concrete beam at the side of the present rail tracks. This system needs no bridges or level crossings, can run in all weather, is powered by an electric motor under each of the three coaches. The speed of this type of train can reach and exceed 160 kilometres per hour in all weather.
Victor Osborne, Nanaimo
The views and opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the writer and do not reflect the views of Black Press or the Nanaimo News Bulletin. If you have a different view, we encourage you to write to us or contribute to the discussion below.