The E&N Business Case: Getting Cars Off The Road
Well, it is a start.
The Business Case for the E&N has been released and the cost provided ($431 million) seems quite cheap, compared to the Expo and Millennium Line extensions, where the cost per km is over $400 million/km (over $500 million/km for the Broadway subway).
What has proven to work elsewhere, will work here; using rail to provide an affordable and user friendly alternative to the car.
Time to start looking for some used DMU’s.
And while we are at it, there’s the Valley Rail project, just waiting for some investment as well!
The Business Case for Rail Service on Vancouver Island ICF Initial Business Case 2022 PRESS RELEASE ISLAND CORRIDOR FOUNDATION RELEASES BUSINESS CASE FOR RAIL SERVICE RESTORATION May 16, 2022 – The Island Corridor Foundation today released a Business Case highlighting detailed analysis, including data from the Provincial and Federal Governments in support of the full restoration of rail service to Vancouver Island. The Business Case provides for the upgrading of the entire 290 km rail system on the Island, from Victoria to Courtenay and from Parksville to Port Alberni. The Business Case proposes a mixed-use rail system that would have a peak hour commuter system in the Langford – Victoria corridor, inter-regional passenger service that would operate twice daily between Victoria and Courtenay, as well as freight operations on the entire system, with emphasis on key ports in Port Alberni and Nanaimo. The system will also support passenger excursion operations in the tourist market and special event transportation. “We are very pleased to bring forward the Business Case as it defines the very real and urgent need for safe, efficient, reliable, and environmentally sustainable transportation options on Vancouver Island. It also demonstrates that the proposed rail system can address those needs, it is financially viable, and can be sustained for future generations” said Larry Stevenson, CEO of the Island Corridor Foundation. The Business Case estimates the construction costs for the project to be $381 million and $50 million for the acquisition of rail equipment for a total cost of $431 million. Costing for the project is based on the 2020 Island Rail Corridor Condition Assessment updated to reflect 2023 dollars. “The Business Case is an important step toward having rail restored to the island however there is still a lot of work to be done to make it a reality. The Business Case highlights the unresolved issues emanating from the original land grants that brought the railway to Vancouver Island. We believe the resolution of those issues is critical to bringing rail back to the Island and call on the Provincial and Federal governments to work with Island First Nations to settle those issues as part of this proposal” said Dr. Judith Sayers, Co-Chair of the Island Corridor Foundation. The Business Case has been provided to the Provincial and Federal governments for their review and consideration with the request for the establishment of a formal working group to begin the work of bringing rail back to Vancouver Island. The Island Corridor Foundation is a non-profit society and federally registered charity established for the purposes of owning and managing the rail corridor on Vancouver Island. Initial Business Case can be found here. Island Corridor Foundation Island Corridor Foundation| 250-754-7254 | Box 375 Stn Ave, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5L3 | islandrail.ca Island Corridor Foundation | Box 375 Stn A, Nanaimo, V9R 5L3 Canada Unsubscribe ad377@ncf.ca Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by andreathomas@islandrail.ca powered by Try email marketing for free today!
I agree with the message but $1.8 Billion – $2.6 Billion for the line to be realistic, which is still very cheap. The concrete ties alone for that distance your looking at is around $500 Million. You can’t use the creosote treated wooden ties anymore, the expensive and dangerous chemical disposal, wiped out their use in modern railways.
The estimate is based on meeting all current standards. While the final cost may be different – the $431m estimate is the most reliable number available.
Incidentally it’s not really the E & N. That implies the resurrection of an old service. While it uses the same rail corridor, the proposal is not for a resurrection of the old Dayliner. It is for a modern economical rail service that operates as part of a larger integrated transportation network.
get on a bus?
Zwei replies: Buses have proven ineffective in getting cars off the road.
Need both Rail and Bus to serve all of Vancouver Island with proper public transit. We do not want P3 just govt owned service like the old VICL.