Reviving Passenger Rail: The Battle for Better Transportation in British Columbia
Key Ideas
- The Rail for the Valley group in British Columbia has been advocating for the reinstatement of passenger rail services from Marpole to Chilliwack using the former BC Electric interurban route.
- The group's independent Leewood Study by Leewood Projects (UK) supports the feasibility and desirability of the passenger line, highlighting issues with other proposed plans like hydrogen-powered trains and trains on public highways.
- TramTrain, a modern streetcar that can operate on railway mainlines, has been successful and is mentioned as a viable option for regional rail in BC.
- While hydrogen-powered trains are still in development and face expensive challenges, rail is seen as an environmentally friendly and attractive transportation mode amid global warming concerns.
The Rail for the Valley group in British Columbia has been actively campaigning for the reinstatement of passenger rail services along the former BC Electric interurban route from Marpole in Vancouver to Chilliwack in the Fraser Valley. Their 20-year effort has faced challenges due to political resistance and lack of interest. The group's Leewood Study, conducted independently by experts from the UK, supports the feasibility and attractiveness of this passenger line. However, they criticize other proposals, including Dr. Gord Lovegrove's plan, for lacking sound research, particularly in regard to hydrogen-powered trains and running trains on public highways, actions that are prohibited by Transport Canada. The report highlights TramTrain as a successful modern streetcar/tram option for regional rail. Additionally, the group mentions a cost estimate for a Salmon Arm to Kelowna light Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) service, emphasizing the affordability compared to other transportation projects in the province. Despite the expensive and developmental challenges of hydrogen-powered trains, rail is presented as the most user-friendly and environmentally friendly mode of transportation amidst concerns of climate change and global warming.