RAIL - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Terminals could be added to increase accessibility to communities along the route by installing passing siding (doubling the line at at that point) if it made sense to the community.   The communities may also want cultural displays added to the terminals to depict history and culture for passengers to learn about, or they could even use the terminal as an access point for commerce or tourism potentially increasing their own prosperity. 

in addition, if BC ran a "Hospital Train" it could bring periodic health care to the communities that would otherwise have to travel long distances to get it. Lack of convenience prevents many from seeking the health care they need due to our busy lives.  While not part of the initial plan, partnerships can be made, and funding found, and I'm sure remote living seniors would agree this would be beneficial!

Often, a person in a relationship with someone that has a higher earning job can't justify the cost of commuting to where they could earn a better wage or take a more satisfying job.  A low cost rail solution would allow them to reach their goals at an affordable price.   The business plan puts a one-way fair at $19 and a monthly pass at $200 which is a fraction of the fuel costs and maintenance for a private vehicle.

A strategic partnership with BC Transit would provide bus connections at key terminals, and other terminals would likely have park-and-ride lots and other travel options like rentals or lockers for bikes.   There could even be shuttles in some locations to take customers to destinations like casino's, arena's, festivals, and cultural events occurring on the island.

Yes, given the track is managed in terms of what trains are where, there is no viable risk of collision. 

Only 20x safer?   Not with today's technology!   it can be made safer for passengers and safer for animals and wanderers too!  

Movement sensing technology? Check

GPS coordination of Train locations, Check!

Track Maintenance Trains and inspection pods, Check!

Satellite Communications, Check!

Streaming Crossing cameras, Check!

need I go on?

In modern rail systems, safety systems and monitors are installed to prevent accidents, even due to medical emergency of the operator.   This is not available in a personal vehicle, and even when it becomes available in self driving vehicles, it would take near-full market saturation to realize the same level of safety.   

Delays? The train only crosses a fraction of the intersections in comparison to a normal commute in a car and is considered priority, the train is much less likely to be stalled for the same time a car is even if there is an interruption!

Ding Ding Ding, big metal gates... used forever for train safety, but now enhanced with connected GPS!

As the rail line is refurbished, incredible value could be gained by the coordinated inclusion of a new utility corridor for things like internet fiber and any other utility service that made sense including electrical.   Electrification of the line would have to be the long term goal and this corridor hugs the current electrical backbone of Vancouver island very closely with many locations touching along the route.  

Side trails like those recently installed in the Shawnigan Lake area could also be added as the utility corridor is created!

Yes that is possible, but the Island Corridor foundation's plan includes seismic upgrades for the rail and its trestles.  

From an emergency perspective, alternate routes are CRITICAL!  those very train crossings people get a little agitated with are actually supply cross-connections needed during serious events that cause damage to roadways.  The kind of events we keep hoping never happens while we sleep on a fault!

The Island rail line already includes what are called Passing siding or a passing loop that allow trains to pass one another on an otherwise single track.  The easement is wide enough to double track the whole passage in the future if it was warranted, and is certainly capable of supporting the strategic installation of more sidings including loopback siding to support a Langford - Victoria loop.      

Yes, those same control systems allow windows for freight to pass into their respective stations.  They know it so well, they make simulators! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXrKQgL0Zac