Getting a handle on the cost of light rail – How much does modern LRT cost?

Relaying new trackAi??Ai??for Nottingham’s LRT, on a disused railway formation. What does light rail cost to build? What has been left out of the ‘Rail for the Valley’ debate is real cost of light rail construction. True, a $35 million/km. figure has been bandied about, but this seems much too high and is based on […]

The 300 km. solution – An affordable way to reduce gridlock and pollution

For overAi??Ai??two decades the Light Rail Committee has stated that toAi??Ai??have a viable alternative to the car, over 300 km. of light rail must be built in the region, the question of course is, “can we afford it?” The answer is yes! To be successful modern LRT must not just serve major destinations like town […]

Highway 1 Day of Action a Soaking Success

By all accounts! Pictures: Day of Action in pictures on Flickr (feel free to upload yours) I’ve heard over and over again, from people up and down the Valley and in Vancouver, that this was actually a really fun event, & people want to do it again. *If you have a banner that needs storing, […]

Highway 1 Day of Action TOMORROW!

Just one more day… Please get your friends and family out to this important, historic event in the Fraser Valley. It’s simple: Choose an overpass, make some signs, & do your part, Saturday from 11:00am to 1:00pm, to bring passenger rail service back to the Fraser Valley! LIGHT RAIL FANS TO HIT THE HIGHWAY Our […]

10 questions for May’s election – How much of a transit expert are you?

Lisbon tram climbing a 13.8% grade! Ai??Ai?? Here are ten questions toAi??Ai??test the knowledge ofAi??Ai??political candidates about LRT & public transit in May’s provincial election. Passing grade is 70%. 1) What is light rail transit? 2) What is metro? 3) What is capacity? 4) What grade maximum is now industry standard for light rail? 5) […]

The Heritage Tram – Interesting possibilities for the Vancouver to Chilliwack Interurban

Heritage streetcars, operating in museums, onAi??Ai??their own trackage orAi??Ai??running in scheduledAi??Ai??Ai??Ai??service, on existingAi??Ai??transit routes, have proven to be extremely popular and operate in many cities around the world. A proven tourist generator, heritage streetcars and interurbans could expandAi??Ai??Vancouver centricAi??Ai??tourism up the Fraser Valley to Chilliwack. There is plenty of scope for vintage streetcars or heritage […]

April 11 Day of Action UPDATE

LIGHT RAIL FANS TO HIT THE HIGHWAY Banner-making workshops Abbotsford Where: gather at UFV – Abbotsford campus, east lobby of building A, by the Roadrunner Cafe (bottom floor). If you get lost, contact Paul Gieselman at 604-703-3650. When: Tuesday April 7, 7:00 pm Vancouver workshop/party Where: 1825 Charles St (@ Salsbury) When: Thursday April 9, […]

Karlsruhe’s TramTrain’s – Why is TransLink so afraid!

A map of Karlsruhe’s regional tram (tramtrain) network Since 1993, Karlsruhe’s award winning two system (now called tramtrain) LRT system has been operating safely, track-sharing with mainline railways. Karlsruhe’s tramtrain concept is now used on no fewer than ten light-rail systems in Europe and North America and presently being planned for numerousAi??Ai??transit systems world wide. […]

Nordhausen – TramTrains for small towns

Nordhausen is a German cityAi??Ai??at the southern edge of the Harz Ai??Ai??mountains, in the state of Thuringia.Ai??Ai?? Nordhausen’s population is a very modest 44,272 andAi??Ai??with a population density of 421 /kmAi??A?, one would think that the town is just too small for light-rail butAi??Ai??has a metric gauge tramway networkAi??Ai??with 2 lines (7 km long, built […]

Lawned rights-of-ways = non-user friendly & green transit

In stark contrast to SkyTrain’s and RAV/Canada Line’s (in Richmond) ugly elevated concrete viaducts, Europe is greening their tram-lines. European transit authorities are lawning their tram routes, creating a park like atmosphere, which is further enhanced by trees, shrubbery and statuary. Tram lines, either ballast and tie on the ground or elevated on a viaduct […]