Since my letter of May 12, 2021, the need for the railway has become even more obvious; hole appears in the middle of the road, avalanche of mud and rock blocks the highway, continuing accidents blocking the Malahat, increasing population and numbers of vehicles on Highway 19.
Not enough population to warrant the railway? Ancient history. People were not using it; of course not, as David Lawford said, (Letters Dec. 15, 2021), it was not designed for commuting then.
A 1952 grain hauler once per day? How about LRTs, from Nanaimo to Victoria and Nanaimo to Campbell River, twice per day. This would surely cut back on the horrendous traffic we now have on the highway. Will not be used? A few naysayers said that about the Canada Line – how wrong could you be
A pathway/biking trail? What a horrible waste; when I was younger, I would not have either walked or biked to Victoria to see my doctor or visit friends or relatives, but, at 87 I would much rather ride the train, in comfort and convenience.
Just love that three-hour accident stop on the Malahat, with no bathroom in sight.
The Europeans can build a new railroad, tunnel through a mountain, many bridges across rivers, and we cannot even bring an existing railway to life – how Canadian. How about all the jobs created for Island workers, the initial upgrade and continuing maintenance and operation?
As for cost? Read Donald Malcolm Johnson, (Letters, Dec. 15, 2021) – I agree with Donald.
Ed Fergusson
Parksville