The Charleroi Pre-metro, the metro that was built and they didn’t come! A short history on failed transit planning.

One ‘metro‘Ai??Ai??system that every proponent of the SkyTrain light-metro ignores is the Charleroi pre-metro. In Belgium traditional LRT is known as ‘trams‘, LRT built as a light-metro is known as pre metro. Pre metro has much in common with SkyTrain, including segregated rights-of-ways and large stations with escalators, etc. The Charleroi MA?Ai??tro is famous for […]

Getting Value for Money – Diesel Light Rail Transit and LRT in Ottawa

AnAi??Ai??interesting comment about the successfulAi??Ai??Diesel LRT operation in Ottawa. ‘Rail for The Valley’ must support Diesel LRT to start passenger service in the Fraser Valley as it negates the need for expensive electricalAi??Ai??overhead or catenary. Certainly if ‘demand’ increases to the point of 15 minute or 10 minute operation, then electric LRT can be considered […]

Abbotsford wants light rail

The Abbotsford public wants light rail! (didn’t we already know this?) And according to newspaper feedback, clearly there is a clamouring for the return of the interurban – AND WHY NOT – we could have an initial regular service, inexpensively, within 2 years. I think the public understands that the Interurban track is not “the […]

Catenary-Free LRT!

The following item was sent to the Light Rail Committee and maybe of interest to those promoting modern LRT for the ‘Valley’. One of the main complaints against light-rail is that itAi??Ai??collects electricity from an overhead wire using span wires connected to lamp posts (Vancouver’s trolleybuses) or from a Catenary.Ai??Ai??The most common method is by […]

Friends of Rail for the Valley meeting in Chilliwack last night

Last night was great. There were about 20 of us, which could have made it a bit unwieldy and more difficult to get things done, but everyone was on the same page, people were focused and determined, and it was a great meeting. Most people who came were from Chilliwack, as well as a few […]

TramTrains for Bristol – A News Release From the LRTA

I include this news release from the LRTA because of the similarities with Rail For The Valley’s campaign to reinstate the Vancouver to Chilliwack interurban service. Diesel light-rail is of course, a tramtrain! PRESS RELEASE FROM TramForward 21 January 2009 TramForward suggests TramTrain for Bristol Metro Light rail campaign TramForward has welcomed support for the […]

Calgary’s C-Train is carrying over 250,000 passengers a day!

The following should give some food for thought. “In the past 25 years, The City of Calgary has invested approximately $1 billion (Canadian dollars) in developing a three leg, radial LRT system that is closely integrated with an extensive bus network.” While in Vancouver over $6 billion ($8.5 billion if RAV/Canada LineAi??Ai??is included) has been […]

Light Rail Transit – The safest way to go.

From the Light Rail Now folks in the USA, some interesting figures on transportation safety. Fatality Rates per 100 Million Passenger-Miles (1997) Motor VehiclesAi??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai?? – 0.93 Rail Rapid TransitAi??Ai??Ai??Ai?? – 0.55 Commuter RailAi??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai?? – 0.05 BusAi??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai?? – 0.10 Light RailAi??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai?? – 0.00 [Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics/National Transportation Statistics 1999 and FTA/National Transit Statistics and […]

And now, here is the real story ~ Lies, damned lies and statistics!

For a long time now, TransLink’s spin doctors have been crying a woeful story that SkyTrain is “jammed packed” and needs more cars. With ridership numbers increasing at a fantastic rate on the metro, Gordon Campbell’s cronies on theAi??Ai??TransLink Board approved the purchase of more SkyTrain cars. As well, TransLink and ‘Metro’ region are trying […]

Skytrain has run its course; LRT is the way to go.

Langara debate Wednesday: Skytrain has run its course; LRT is the way to go. Wednesday, Jan. 21, 7:30 A?ai??i??ai??? 9:00pm (Doors open at 7:15pm, seating for the first 300 only) The Alice Mackay Room, Lower level Vancouver Public Library, Downtown, Homer & Robson Arguing the AFFIRMATIVE: PATRICK CONDON, Senior Researcher, UBC Design Centre for Sustainability […]