Account Login/Registration

Access PentictonNow using your Facebook account, or by entering your information below.


Facebook


OR


Register

Privacy Policy

Your Voice: Gord Lovegrove's train plan lacks research, but rail in Kelowna is doable and desirable

All letters to the editor published by KelownaNow reflect only the opinions of the readers who submit them, and not necessarily those of KelownaNow or its staff. Letters can be submitted to [email protected]


The Rail for the Valley group in the Fraser Valley probably knows more than anyone about reinstating passenger rail services in the province.

Our 20-year campaign promoting what international rail professionals call a "no-brainer," reinstating a passenger service from Marpole in Vancouver to Chilliwack in the Fraser Valley, using the former BC Electric interurban route, has continually hit the wall of politcal hubris and indifference.

Rail for the Valley's Leewood Study, by Leewood Projects (UK) is unique as it is a fully independent study, done by experts who reside outside the anti-rail BC bubble, that shows that such a passenger line is doable and desirable.

There are great problems with Dr. Gord Lovegrove's plan, which seems to be lacking sound research, especially with hydrogen-powered trains, as well as running trains on public highways which would not be allowed by Transport Canada.

<who> Photo Credit: UBCO </who> A visualization of Gord Lovegrove's proposal.

TramTrain mentioned in the report is a modern streetcar or tram that can operate on the railway mainline and has been very successful in operation.

The RftV Group supports regional rail in BC and a recent cost estimate for a Salmon Arm to Kelowna, light Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) service, with a maximum of three trains per hour per direction would cost around $2 billion to install. As for hydrogen-powered trains, they are still going through development and do have many expensive teething troubles and are not recommended for use in BC as of yet.

Expensive yes, but considering that the province is spending over $11 billion to extend the SkyTrain light metro system a mere 21.7 km., is quite affordable, especially that TransLink (the operating authority) is not expecting to attract much new ridership.

In the age of global warming and climate change, rail is the only transportation mode that will offer a user-friendly service that will attract the motorist from the car.

D. M. Johnston
Rail for the Valley
Delta, BC


Send your comments, news tips, typos, letter to the editor, photos and videos to [email protected].




weather-icon
Tue
34℃

weather-icon
Wed
24℃

weather-icon
Thu
26℃

weather-icon
Fri
30℃

weather-icon
Sat
32℃

weather-icon
Sun
32℃


Top Stories

Follow Us

Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook
Follow Our Newsletter
Privacy Policy