Citizen coalition aims to rebuild Vancouver Island railway corridor :: Salt Spring News :: Daily News Of and For Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada

The Legislature Raids British Columbia Canada July 12, 2008

The group working to rebuild Vancouver Island's long-neglected railway corridor says support for its efforts to get federal and provincial help for the $103.8-million project is growing across the Island. BC Mary comments:

Here's a good idea, don't you think? If it's good for Vancouver Island, maybe it's good for the Vancouver-to-Whistler run. And if it's good for them, why isn't it good for the northern routes formerly serviced by BC Rail? I'd like to hear more from this Island [Rail] Corridor Foundation. Seems as if they've found the key to Citizen Success. Good luck to them!

Bruce Stotesbury reports in the Victoria Times Colonist:

A campaign is gathering steam to get more use out of the Island's rail corridor than the often-derided E&N train service. Under the name Our Corridor Coalition, First Nations, business and community leaders joined with the ICF [Island Corridor Foundation] and Southern Railway of Vancouver Island in the campaign last March to urge funding for upgrades on the corridor. The proposal calls for an integrated transportation system that connects buses to trains, park and ride facilities and the use of bicycle and walking paths along the rail corridor. The plan also supports an enhanced transportation system for moving freight on the Island in a fully integrated system using short haul trucks connecting to rail and then by sea barge to the mainland Gateway and on to North American and world markets.

[Mary Ashley, a spokeswoman for the Island Corridor Foundation, the non-profit society that owns and manages the 290-kilometre rail corridor] said the coalition is getting favourable responses from Victoria and Ottawa and she expects the senior government levels will get on board with financing after the coalition's business plan is completed. She said while it's hoped government will pick up most of the tab for the rail upgrades, the coalition expects it may have to some fundraising of its own. "At this stage, we want to let people know that coalition is getting strong support from individuals, organizations and the business community," Ashley said. "With the price of gas these days and the growing need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the need for a viable and efficient railway system on the Island is increasingly needed." ...

Senior gov't help, eh? Does that mean a friendly divorce is in the offing?

... Send me the warmth of a secret smile
To show me you haven't forgot
For now and forever, that's always and ever...

"Little Things Mean A Lot". Performed by Kitty Kallen. Written by Edith Lindeman and Carl Stutz and published in 1953.

Hey, the caring is reciprocal—from our side, certainly. It just didn't work out in the end. We'll get on with rebuilding what you broke. With only a minimum of hard feelings. And... thanks for the help in our getting ourselves restarted. We did love you at one point, you know. But, please, leave us alone now; let's become 'just friends'.

Southern Railway of Vancouver Island is part of the Washington Group of Companies. The Washington Group has proven over time to be a responsible regional actor and its constituent companies good corporate citizens. (It was the shipyards of the Group—Vancouver Shipyards and Victoria Shipyards—that were shut out of bidding on the new BC Ferries' ships by the Campbell coalition who sent the work to Germany.)

The Washington Companies are a vibrant group of individual and independently operated companies in which Montana businessman Dennis R. Washington directly or indirectly holds significant ownership position. Each company displays a unique entrepreneurial spirit that is individually cultured and managed by professional management teams that are guided by separate Boards of Directors. Each company has the ability and tools to perform and service their customer base at the highest level in their specific industry. The Washington Companies have grown and diversified by focusing on core industries in six primary sectors: rail transportation, marine transportation, construction and mining, heavy equipment sales, aviation technology, and real estate development. All of the companies are privately held and independently operated. The Washington Companies are headquartered throughout the United States and western Canada and conduct business internationally. Expertise in equipment, management, and manpower, together with a deep understanding of the associated economies and markets, has made the companies leaders in performance, production efficiency, and competitive service. ...

To find out how Vancouver Islanders can help build themselves a better future, visit Our Corridor Rail Redifined.

Up and down Vancouver Island, people like you, communities, local governments, First Nations and businesses are coming together to fulfill the full potential of our Island Rail Corridor. The case we’re presenting to you for acquiring Federal and Provincial investment in the Rail Corridor can have a positive effect on every part of our lives. Acquired and managed by the Island Corridor Foundation the Rail Corridor is a 366 million dollar asset owned by the people and communities of Vancouver Island. ...