Impactful Comments

Michael Addiscott

 you’ve made it very clear you have no clue what folks up Island need, nor can you imagine that there are tangible benefits to rural/remote folks — who would benefit massively from being able to connect to Victoria without relying entirely on cars — to have access to rail beyond the already massively funded/supported transit options in Victoria. Perhaps you should try travelling beyond Langford to see what your fellow community members are dealing with up Island and consider that there are benefits beyond what you can envision from your current position. I mean the real answer, after all, is why not both? Why does it have to be LRT for Victoria vs rail for other parts of the island? Dream bigger! The government is stingy because it can get away with it and we have not yet solidified our public accountability and organizing yet to demand what we are owed — housing, transit, medical care. We need to stop fighting over scraps and start demanding governments deliver services to the public that elects & funds them!

 I believe it could reduce the traffic congestion

 and carbon footprint especially in the dowtown Victoria area to Goldstream or better. You can move far more freight by railcar cheaper than a fleet of freight trucks… the trucks will still be required at rail destinations to deliver on a local basis . Further to that from all that I have read and managed to comprehend if the province does not act on this then it reverts to the indigenous . If that happens those affected areas could have an adverse financial effect on logging, mining and other business happenings in those areas. Quite frankly I think the government both provincial and federal has given enough of Canada away. Politically incorrect or not it is time to take a stand… The working class taxpayers are losing confidence both here and in Ottawa. It would be refreshing to see that somebody finally gives a damn 

It would allow me to 

visit friends & family scattered up and down the Island

even when I am too old to drive.

I don't wish to drive highways or long distances.

Plans should include consideration to addressing level crossings with elevated crossings. Yes more costly but we must look to sensibility and safety and the future. This would also any anticipated opposition to the whole restoration of the rail. Perhaps consider bicycle routes running under elevated rail lines providing option to train part way then cycle. Cycling would be an additional benefit to attract world wide tourism

Responding to a comment about there being better scenery on the highway

"absolutely not “better scenery”- highways provide inferior aesthetics. Our rail line traveled through inland forests, up close to waterfalls, farmland, over rivers and canyons—unbeatable views.  As far as tourism goes-it has increased dramatically and shows no sign of slowing down, similarly migration from other parts of the country is on a steep incline. This rail line makes 100% sense—plus it’s a way more roomy and interesting travel experience."

Please, please don't talk about affordability. If we don't grab this opportunity, the money we don't have, will be used on something far less beneficial as it always is. I don't know what the future holds, but I think the biggest thing is that we need to secure the tracks, we can't risk losing the rail line to a bike route or foot path that can be built anywhere, it doesn't have to have the smooth conditions a railway does. I am in no way, shape or form, opposed to bikes or nature walks, just to clarify. But we desperately need a rail service that runs at enough times to make it beneficial to get a lot of us drivers off the road and of course, safely to work. We could be enjoying a restful, stress less, scenic view and not have the worry or the time, inconvenience and cost of finding parking. With gas prices going through the roof, something has to happen, we can't keep on going like this. Everything is going up, everyone wants our dollars at the same time before someone else gets them. We have to find ways to help ourselves and I believe having a rail service with enough regular runs would be valuable in providing a much needed asset to our communities! Thank you, and remember, this is just how I really feel.

"Let's do some math, distance from Victoria to Port Alberni 195km. My well tuned up 2.9L v6 does 550km/60L of fuel. That is about 9.6 Km/L so that's 43L round trip. = $50 one way. I think a subsidized rail could make that trip cheaper! Prove me wrong! Regardless of price it's less cars on the road and direct travel"

When you calculate insurance, gas, and the required maintenance, for a vehicle over the course of it's life, verses the cost of the train, the train wins.

I see people struggling and not able to reach affordable housing without being choked out by gas prices, car maintenance and highway shutdowns.  An inexpensive rail system would solve that for so many people!

Most of my family is up island, it would be great to be able to take the train up with my bike and cycle to visit them. I could finally get rid of the car. 

have you seen the cars on the roads during rush hour? It takes over an hour and a half from Langford to Victoria.

 allot of people don't drive and still wanna get places I think this is a great idea and people would be surprised on how much it would be used.. allot specially with the gas prices

Inexpensive access to cheaper living areas for struggling Vancouver Islander's, the potential for high-impact electrification for climate action in the future, the prevention of environmental damage to create or expand highways on VI due to population grown, and the fundamental travel needs of 900,000 islanders and 5,000,000 visitors to the island annually outweighs anyone's "opinion" of alternate uses.     Without rail, the assumption that the public at large would have influence over the traditional territories of the 3 Nations and 14 indigenous communities is misguided,

 "use it for rail, or lose it!"

I sent this to the TC letters
The Editor;
Even though I am appalled, I am not surprised that the former NDP MP for Victoria, a director of Friends of Rails to Trail, Denise Savoie would write such a misleading commentary about the E&N.
It is so easy for a retired MP, with a six figure annual pension to utter such nonsense as she seems to be completely disassociated from the realities of the current climate emergency.
The problem we face is global warming and bicycles just are not going to do it. What is needed is an affordable and user-friendly solution to the car and rail is the only mode to provide this.
This is well realized in the UK and Europe, where over 1,000 km of abandoned and disused rail lines are being refurbished for passenger use, with many more passenger rail renewal schemes being tabled.
On the mainland, a minimum $8 billion dollars is budgeted to extend the Millennium and Expo Light-metro lines (SkyTrain) a mere 21.8 km, and will cater to traffic loads less than the Broadway B-Line buses carried in 2019!

A real investment, 20% of what is being spent in metro Vancouver, would provide a "world class" regional railway, serving all stations between Victoria and Courtney, with three trains per hour per direction, in all weathers!

Not investing in the E&N railway demonstrates a complete ignorance of modern transportation practice, especially in the age of climate change and an utter disdain of the environment, illustrating the all too common hubris of the wealthy when they advocate for their own cause at the expense of everyone else.

The folks who think this is insane don’t really want to listen to how this idea is viable.

It will be public transportation, has to be, because no large public transportation can be run as a private enterprise. It’s going to take money from taxpayers and it’s a worthwhile investment.

The idea that we don’t have the population maybe partly true now yet the explosion of building in every major center on the Island that is evidence that things are growing. More so than ever.

The idea that no one used the service and it won’t be used comes from the notion that somehow the service was scheduled correctly. It wasn’t at all. Nothing entrepreneurial about it.

The rail bed is done and for the most part solid. That is the major expense and can be built on.

An electric train seems to be the greenest answer and it doesn’t have to be high speed.

More roads and expanding what is there does not make sense for the future.

This is a vision for the future of the Island. It will help with lesser vehicles on the road. It will support communities on the route. It could open up the west coast with a summer tourist train with connections via coach or boat. There could be a ski train to Mount Washington in the winter. That are just a few of the possibilities. As the service grows so can the possibilities.

Having rode the E.& N. Rail system from my Nanaimo home, lived and raised my children here since 1975.

My late dad was a train enthusiast. As a young person we visited the round house on many many occasions.

Travelled by train across western Canada

aged 6 months, mid 1940's. Then both to and from for the next ten years.

While in the RCN(R) travelled by train to the west coast.

Yes I learned at a early age the joy and quality regarding train travel.

Because of my up bringing our family travelled here on Vancouver Island's E.&N. Rail system. My dad called it " The Tooterville Trolley."

Loved every time we rode. As an aside the history of the has a fascinating back story which goes back to the joining of this area into joining Canada.

Last time we rode as a family each seat had a Book/Binder hanging from above the window. The book hi lighted the points of interest the train was passing, using the mile markers as a guide.

Looking out the Port Side was different from the Starboard window.

Question: Is a revived E.& N. Rail System sellable re Tourism, Commuting, Medical Appointments, Heavy Haul, ect ect ect ?

YOU BETTER BELIEVE !

From the green leather chair of a true believer,

"UPDATE E.& N. THEY WILL COME."

  I lived on Vancouver Island for years and used to take the train up and down the island. Now I don’t own a car and don’t come there very much because the bus is too expensive. I would like to come visit old friends in Victoria and Duncan. 

  I can’t tell you how very often I took the E and N railway from Victoria and back to visit my parents in Union Bay !!! It was always such a pleasant trip , with no worries !!! I do so miss that wonderful mode of transportation on our Island and am a great advocate for a return of the railroad for future generations !!! 

 "When they say a single line track won't cut it....you can say with sidings and passing tracks it can easily handle the number of trains contemplated 

You can point out that CN's line from Edmonton to Winnipeg is 800 miles with less than 20% of being double tracked and they are one of the most efficient railways in North America.

 CN envisions slowly double-tracking main line from Edmonton to Winnipeg 

 There is also an additional $5million in the project plan to provide additional siding capacity" 

I think it should "be one of the

 Diesel-electric+pantograph Staedler FLIRTs (almost identical to the new units on O-Train Line 2) (or a very similar model from another fab)  RIGHT NOW in Victoria~Langford with night installation of pantograph poles and line repairs up to Shawnigan/Cobble-Hill/Duncan/Ladysmith/Nanaimo, in that order. Get the service going right away and improve coverage, frequency, and efficiency quickly. "

 Ann K.

This would make getting to and from medical appointments in Victoria so much easier, for elders and for families with specialist appointments. 

Cat Z. responding

  I was thinking the same thing - especially for cancer patients who have to travel to Victoria daily - it just makes things easier when you have more choices on how to get there, AND if the Malahat gets shut down - you can still make your appointment OR make it home. 

"For those that say a single train won't get it done... the Business Case provides for multiple trains operating each day

two stay in the Victoria-Westhills corridor for commuter.

The other two operate regionally and will provide two trains a day from Courtenay into Victoria and return"

Yes please restore the rail travel up and down Vancouver island . I used it a lot, even had an event once when I travelled with my family from overseas.

The train stopped, outside of Nanaimo/ladysmith on our way down to Victoria.

Upon investigation, overnight the beavers had dropped a smallish tree on the rail.

The conductor went into a tiny cupboard at the front of the car, took out a hard hat, a small hand saw and a reflective vest.

Meanwhile all aboard had come out to check on the delay and we were having lovely visits with tourists and locals alike.

When the men saw the tiny saw, they jumped into action.

3 or 4 went to the tree, lifted it fairly easily, threw it aside among the chewed pencil tops trunks all around and wiped their hands on their pants and said, ok let’s go…

The conductor looked a bit frustrated and dismayed at this rogue action and we all went back in with memories.

My family has photos galore of the event and it is part of our travels lore.

Please, do restore the train travel, it is such a beautiful corridor you can only see if you are on it, and besides you never know what you will run into…

Thank you.

Ed F.

 They should have started at least 10 years ago, before our increased population; however, not too late, but let’s do it NOW ! 

Patricia A. responding

 the Esquimalt Major Did put this forward years ago. They even celebrated a go ahead. Then boom! It fell through. 

About family passes, Seniors discounts, and costs in general

 "The system has to be competitive and as such the rates will be similar to existing services like regional bus service and transit"