Island rail line is a key solution

The rail line is staring us in the face as a solution to the ongoing Malahat disasters and housing problems.

Why isn’t Premier David Eby pushing for the restoration of the Island rail line, which could be a vital advancement to the housing solution and economic future of Vancouver Island as a transit corridor for commuters, freight and tourism.

The line could be upgraded to a modern electrified LRT.

Ideally, the line should be twinned to Langford, however a single-line track could be adapted to operate efficiently by installing double-track platform stations for passing, one inbound and one outbound as in many other parts of the world. One operated by Queensland Rail north of Brisbane, Australia, carries more than 100,000 passengers daily into Brisbane, partly on a single-track line.

The carbon tax has done little for the environment except make life more expensive for everyone.

The tax should be mandated to be dedicated to invest in transit and new green technology development.

Sooner or later, we are going to be forced into resurrecting a modern rail link up-Island, and the sooner we do this the better.

Certainly an operational rail line on the Island makes common sense and would relieve a lot of pressure from the Malahat and be of special benefit to commuters and those who have to travel from up Island for medical appointments.

LRT and tram systems are exploding all over the world as commuters embrace a more stress free green environmentally friendly way of commuting and travel.

Vancouver Island cannot continue with this unsustainable reliance on road transport especially over the Malahat.

Let’s get it done and bring it home.

Robin Chown North Saanich