Representatives
The Rail for the Valley campaign involves many individuals and organizations who sometimes have differing views, but who are in fundamental agreement on the need for passenger rail service for the Fraser Valley. The following representatives speak their own opinions and are examples of the diversity in this campaign.
Stephen Rees
Stephen Rees is a recusant transportation economist and regional planner based in Richmond. Until 2004, he had worked for the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority. He has long advocated more sensible policies to better integrate transport and land use, including the use of existing railways such as the Inter-Urban line in the Fraser Valley.
Ben West
Ben West is a socially conscious Vancouver filmmaker and is the Healthy Communities campaigner for the Wilderness Committee. He opposes the provincial government’s proposed Gateway Project and is a strong advocate of passenger rail for the Fraser Valley.
Contact Ben.
Bryan Vogler
Bryan Vogler, based in New Westminster, has worked in the Canadian railway industry for over thirty years. In the 1990s, he led a group that successfully lobbied and implemented the West Coast Express. Bryan is today once more volunteering his time for the community, working towards Rail for the Valley.
Malcolm Johnston
Malcolm Johnston is an expert on all things light rail, and is an outspoken advocate on the potential of light rail for the Fraser Valley. He is chair of the Light Rail Committee, based in Delta. The Light Rail Committee advocates modern public transport modes, including light rail and all other transit modes in the LRT family.
Sonya Paterson
Sonya Paterson is a determined advocate for passenger rail for the Fraser Valley NOW, and is President of the Valley Transportation Advisory Committee, a non-partisan non-profit organization with the objective of encouraging workable, affordable and environmentally sensitive transportation systems in the Lower Mainland. She is also a Township of Langley school board Trustee.
Nathan Pachal
Nathan Pachal is an expert on the Inter-Urban railway, and an articulate voice for better transportation for the Fraser Valley. Based in Langley, he is one of the founders of South Fraser On Trax, a non-partisan group of local people who have a passion for making great communities even better with the introduction of sustainable planning, building, and transportation options that are made available to all.
Val Ridsdale
Val Ridsdale is one of the leaders of the Rail for the Valley movement in Abbotsford. By talking to people, helping to organize events, and keeping a close eye on local politics, she moves the campaign forward. Being an artist and writer, she also helps the campaign immensely with her creativity. Married with two grown sons, Val has often travelled by rail when it was available, as an alternative to buses, planes and especially cars. Her experiences have convinced her that the Interurban Light Rail Line should be revived for passengers.
John Vissers
John Vissers, a volunteer for the Fraser Valley Conservancy, is a committed advocate for the environment and our air quality. Based in Abbotsford, he was one of the leaders in the successful fight against the Sumas Energy 2 power plant proposal. He now strongly advocates light rail for the valley, stressing the urgency of implementing rail-based transit to connect Fraser Valley communities.
Graham Dalton
Graham Dalton is an enthusiastic Rail for the Valley activist based in Chilliwack. He has recently travelled in Europe and has realized the importance of electric trains and the dangers of using small cars on our freeways. Graham’s personal goal is to save lives by getting people out of their cars and onto trains.
Paul Gieselman
Paul is the energetic new president of the Friends Of Rail For The Valley Society, and acting Campaign President. Based in Chilliwack, he is determined to see this movement accomplish its goals.
John Buker
John Buker is the founder of Rail for the Valley, and a dedicated organizer for this campaign. John grew up in Chilliwack, and believes that the public is way ahead of the politicians on this issue, that we have waited long enough, and that by putting aside our differences and mobilizing as a mass movement, we in the Fraser Valley will get our vital passenger rail, sooner rather than later.
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