Nanaimo - Victoria Rail Service - May 2015
A report in the Times Colonist quotes Southern Railway president Frank Butzelaar as saying an agreement has been signed by Via Rail, the Island Corridor Foundation and Southern Railway of Vancouver Island to restore passenger rail service on Vancouver Island.
The deal still needs to be ratified by each organization's board with the next meeting of Southern Railway scheduled in August.
Via has agreed to subsidize the service with $1.45 million a year to offset operating costs and will provide three refurbished passenger cars to operate on the Nanaimo - Victoria run which is hoped to be in service by May 2015.
While I am happy for this development, I had hoped that the tracks dissecting the city would have been altered in some areas prior to this. Old Island/Northfield/Boundary is ridiculous as is...now we've just added a train back into the mix.
ReplyDeleteQuite simply, the tracks parallel to Old Island Hwy and within meters of each other was a bad idea. Long time residents who have familiarity with this pairing, have been injured or died after being hit by the train.
Again, I'm glad for this development but at the same time, I was a bit relieved when it was out of commission.
There is a Gravy Train!
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