Rail service would alleviate road congestion

Re: “Mayors mulling Victoria-Langford commuter train,” Oct. 14.

The need for rail service is clear. Despite the history and politics involved, we need to invest in the infrastructure necessary to get it running.

Starting with a short run between Victoria and the West Shore communities, as has been suggested, would certainly alleviate road congestion in those areas.

We recently rode the trains in Britain, and saw their extensive rail systems heavily used all over — and they are fast.

Although our population doesn’t compare with that of the U.K., our train service could operate effectively with the scale of numbers of commuters here. Trains can run efficiently up and down the Island corridor, serving communities with a safe alternative to highway driving.

Our governments should readily advocate this service with secured funding in place.

Fare costs can be worked out on various levels, factoring in peak times and frequency of runs and single- or multi-use tickets and rail passes.

Louise Rueger and Don Morrow Chemainus