To the Editor,
Re: Tentative agreement could see passenger rail return to Island, April 3.
Counting on Via Rail to provide any kind of passenger service here on the Island is like trying to hitch up some dinosaurs to a plow.
The idea of using the ‘bud cars’ is unworkable; they are too old and too expensive to maintain so they will be broken down most of the time.
Via is not able to move from its thinking to even consider the idea of the light rapid transit needed to make passenger service possible and economically feasible. We need to move people quickly, efficiently and on schedules that will make sense. Couple that with the addition of courier services and light freight and the passenger portion of the business becomes the gravy after the expenses are met.
Technology has come a long way in the last decade. We can have solar-powered pop-up LED crossing barriers and cameras at crossings that automatically activate. This must be considered in order to have a speedy, efficient and useful service.
I don’t think Via Rail can do it.
Alan MacKinnonNanaimo