Letters to Editors

The letters keep coming…

Rail for the Valley is an issue only because ordinary people have made it an issue. Writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper is the simplest, most concrete thing you can do for the movement right now.

Send your Letter to the Editor to some of these newspapers (sign your name and address):

Abbotsford News: newsroom@abbynews.com
Abbotsford Times: editorial@abbotsfordtimes.com
Agassiz-Harrison Observer: news@ahobserver.com
Aldergrove Star: newsroom@aldergrovestar.com
BurnabyNewsLeader: newsroom@burnabynewsleader.com
Burnaby Now: editorial@burnabynow.com
Chilliwack Progress: editor@theprogress.com
Chilliwack Times: editorial@chilliwacktimes.com
Delta Optimist: editor@delta-optimist.com
Hope Standard: news@hopestandard.com
Langley Advance: editorial@langleyadvance.com
Langley Times: newsroom@langleytimes.com
Maple Ridge News: editor@mapleridgenews.com
Maple Ridge Times: editorial@mrtimes.com
Mission City Record: news@missioncityrecord.com
Peace Arch News: lpeverley@peacearchnews.com
Richmond Review: news@richmondreview.com
Royal City Record: editorial@royalcityrecord.com
South Delta Leader: editor@southdeltaleader.com
Surrey Leader: newsroom@surreyleader.com
Surrey Now: tzillich@thenownewspaper.com
TriCity News: newsroom@tricitynews.com
Vancouver Courier: editor@vancourier.com

Vancouver Sun: sunletters@png.canwest.com
Vancouver Province: provletters@png.canwest.com
-Sun and Province require name/address/phone.

And send it here to be posted on railforthevalley.com.

Recent Letters:

  • Single Track Operation? More common Than You Think!

    [caption id="attachment_29063" align="aligncenter" width="643"] Classic Swiss single track railway![/caption]   OK folks, the following is a small list of the many European regional railways, operating on single tracks or which route operate...

  • Regional Mayors Want A new Funding Model, Instead They Need A New Planning Model

    It seems our regional mayors have been smoking some good weed because they want $20 billion for transit and playing the old gambit that transit is really a Social Service, a human right. That sort of thinking has gotten us where we are today: a massiv...

  • Rural Railways- Time to Invest.

    Recommendations to save Japan’s rural railways issued 28 July 2022 JAPAN: A study group formed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism has published its report into whether and to what extent rural railways...

  • BC Transportation Minister, Rob Fleming, Must Resign!

    Zwei has real issues from the following two statements from BC Transportation Minister Rob Fleming. . “In fact, what they analyzed was the superiority of high-frequency bus service, both from a capacity point of view – to move people out of the...

  • The $400 million Per Killometre SkyTrain To Newton - Really?

    Zwei has a simple question: Where is the funding? With the cost of the Expo Line extension to Langley, exceeding the last estimate of $3.95 billion; the Broadway subway completion to UBC now exceeding $5 billion; and of course that pesky $3 b...

  • The Mayor's Council's Delusions Of Grandeur in 2050 - Where Is The money?

    One has to just laugh at this tawdry attempt pre civic election spin for the regional transit system. It also highlights the media's lack of investigative reporting, as they treat dreamy news releases as "breaking news". The following quote exemp...

  • A Letter to Vancouver Island Politicians

    With the spectre of global warming wreaking havoc on our province, it is time to get serious about doing what we can to alleviate emissions from internal combustion engines. At the same time we must invest in ways other than asphalt solutions to mitiga...

  • Letters

    Letters From the Langley Advance Times Dear Editor, For over 12 years, Rail for the Valley has been advocating the reinstatement of the Vancouver to Chilliwack interurban service and in doing so, are being advised by professionals and engineers ...

  • An Election Is Coming. The NDP Follows The Old Script.

    As with all Metro Vancouver transit projects, they are good for three or four election cycles. The NDP are just using their tired playbook from the 90's, nothing more and, shock and disbelief, Parliamentary Secretary for TransLink, Browinn Ma is the...

  • A Letter To Premier Horgan

    The Honourable John Horgan, Premier of BC * Dear Premier Horgan, * The Covid-19 pandemic has made absolutely clear, we cannot go back to normal, as it has forever changed how people behave. Covid-19 is a prelude for great change in BC. * Metro ...

  • Smoke And Mirrors for The North Shore

    Smoke and mirrors. Classic political bait and switch; bait the public into thinking that the province is really doing something, but in reality, doing nothing. The key is funding and of course funding is never mentioned. Without having each op...

  • OK Mr. Horgan and Translink, Why not TramTrain?

    [caption id="attachment_23593" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="In Germany, TramTrain operates on mainline railways with mixed passenger and freight service, with little problem."][/caption]   It has now been 10 years since Rail for ...

  • No, It Does Not Make Sense

    It is as I predicted, the people in the Fraser Valley are awakening to the realities of TransLink, poor transit and high taxes. Politicians have such poor memories of the 2015 plebiscite. For too long TransLink has done what the City of Vancouver...

  • Trams Having Limited Capacity On Broadway? - SURELY NOT!

    [caption id="attachment_23442" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="Leipzig Tram"][/caption] The ongoing planning charade currently being played out by the cities of Vancouver & Surrey, and TransLink with the proposed Broadway SkyTrain subwa...

  • Translink Continues To Decieve the Public And The Mainstream Media Sleeps

    One just has to shake ones head with TransLink. Calling it the "Ship of Fools" is not correct. The "Ship of Fools are those buying into Translink's continued propaganda stream. Earlier, Zwei debunked the TransLink inspired myth that Broadway was...

  • The McElhanney Study is a political document masquerading as a technical one

    "It is interesting how TransLink has used this cunning method of manipulating analysis to justify SkyTrain in corridor after corridor, and has thus succeeded in keeping its proprietary rail system expanding." Gerald Fox, 2008 Malcolm Johnston...

  • $580 Million Per Kilometre

    Something TransLink and the Mayors Council on Transit likes to keep hidden. The cost of subway construction in Toronto is pegged at $580 million per km. By comparison, the cost for LRT (not in BC mind) is pegged at $35 million to $50 million per ...

  • Island Corridor Foundation's Letter to Minister Claire Trevena

    After years of indifference by the Island Corridor Foundation, a new provincial government seems to have brought some life to the Island Corridor Foundation. Now the ICF is a political creature, which was believed by many, to oversee the demise of the ...

  • Requiem For The Massey Tunnel Replacement Bridge

    The Massey Tunnel Bridge replacement project is again in the news, as the massively expensive replacement bridge for the Massey tunnel has been mothballed. Now, the CBC has found hugely expensive financial irregularities with the new Port Mann Bridge, ...

  • Rail for the Valley: A Letter to Premier Horgan

    Dear Premier Horgan, Congratulations on your recent electoral success and now fresh winds will sweeps across British Columbia. My name is Malcolm Johnston and I have been an advocate for better public transit in the Me...

  • A Letter to the Editor

    This letter says it all. Our politicians still have a lot to learn when it comes to transit Delta Optimist April 7, 2017 Previous Next Writer says SkyTrain is obsolete. Ai??Ai??Photograph By file Editor: Re:...

  • Letters from Rail for the Valley folk

    Two letters from people who support, Rail for the Valley and improving transit South of the Fraser Users and taxpayers lose with regional transit plan Delta Optimist June 29, 2016 Editor: The recent $740 million photo-op with Prime Minister Just...

  • A Letter To Media and Politicians

    ai??i??This letter went out to all the usual suspects, MP's, MLA's, and Mayors and Council.   There is a general naivete about Light Rail Transit or LRT in the media, due in part to TransLink's and previously BC Transits thirty five year war on L...

  • Flexibility

    This will get the SkyTrain boys knickers in a knot! The Arbutus Corridor, the classic dedicated or reserved rights-of-way. LETTER: Flexibility makes light rail the clear choice for Surrey One reader says light rail's flexibility makes it the clear c...

  • A Letter to the Prime Minister - Transit Issues in Metro Vancouver

    Sent November 9, 2015 Dear Prime Minister Trudeau; Congratulations on your recent electoral success and now a fresh wind sweeps across Canada. I have been an advocate for better public transit in the Metro Vancouver ...

  • A letter in the Surrey News Leader

    Transit: There is a better way The Editor; The Conservatives have re-announced the committed $700-million portion for the proposed Surrey Light Rail Transit (LRT). The total cost of this project will be over $2 billion, yet present passenger flows ar...

  • A Letter in the Sun

    Strange that, after the resounding NO vote in the recent plebiscite, the Vancouver Sun has been giving ink to some very pro LRT writers, in both the Op-Ed section and the Letters To The Editor Section. Saturday, July 18: Portland LRT grounded in re...

  • Metro Madness

    In one of the silliest items written in Canada about public transit, The Globe and Mail's (Mop & Pail) Jeffery Simpson has inked a article about how the taxpayer in the lower mainland should vote YES to build subways because Asia ...

  • TramTrain for the E&N?

    The Talk of TramTrain from other than Zwei is good news, especially from Vancouver Island. A Diesel powered TramTrain service, both for Victoria and Naniamo is doable and would be affordable. A 18 km. Diesel TramTrain line from Langford to Victoria, pl...

  • A Light (Rail) In The Piazza

    A very welcomed editorial in the Delta Optimist. Slowly, ever slowly, people are beginning to realize that modern LRT is just not a transit mode, but a transit philosophy! Here lies the difference between LRT and SkyTrain; as SkyTrain or light metro is...

  • A Letter To The Mayor's Council

    Ai??The following letter, which has come Zwei's way, was sent to all mayors and councils in Metro Vancouver. It seems, that the regional mayors are hell bound to get a positive vote in the coming TransLink referendum and they don't seem...

  • A Conflict of Interest - The Broadway Subway

    TransLink, unfortunately digs very deep holes for itself and Mr. Chris exposes what they want the public to believe as fact, is in fact pure invention. http://www.translink.ca/~/media/Documents/plans_and_projects/rapid_transit_projects/UBC/alternative...

  • All Quiet on the Transit Front?

    With civic elections only weeks away, there has been a lull with transit issues and stories. The city of Vancouver, which considers itself the centre of the universe, provides us with some mirth as the elections draw near. The left leaning C.O.P.E. po...

  • A Letter in the Courier

    A letter in the Vancouver Courier. Letter: Transit planners are on the wrong track Re: ai???Mayorsai??i?? Council may expect Vancouver to fund Broadway line,ai??? Sept. 24. Vancouver Courier September 30, 2014 11:28 AM To the editor: Re: ai?...

  • Arbutus Corridor Stuff

    The following is an "letter to the editor" in Friday's province and I must give credit to Mr. Chris Cullen for his sensible views. Zwei says; "Bulls-eye Mr. Cullen", you have deduced the Arbutus question most logically! Rail is green I am amused by al...

  • Trams attract more passengers than buses

    The following from Ed Tennyson, who is the foremost transit expert and historian in the USA, is a reply to a news story that Seattle suburban residents like the LRT but do not particularly like buses very much. Buses, for what ever reason, just do not ...

  • TransLink Spends on Station Renovations

    TransLink is renovating several stations on the Expo Line and as always, the real news is what one reads between the lines. The Expo Line is near its life expiratory date and no, the Expo Line will not disappear in a cacophony of dust and debris, but e...

  • Letters

    Transit and transportation are on the minds of local residents, which is a good thing because the more people who want real change for transit will demand it of their politicos. Nothing wrong with Massey Tunnel Published: September 30, 2013 Re: Masse...

  • A Letter To South Fraser Mayors And Councils

    A letter sent this week to South Fraser mayors and councils and to the media. One wonders how TransLink and its surrogates will respond? Zwei The following email was sent out to South Fraser mayors and councils, warning of Translink hyperb...

  • The Bateman Strategy: Killing TransLink and the regional vision - NOT!

    Gordon Price has entered the TransLink fray and with gusto, blaming Jordan Bate of having the audacity to ask for "none of the above" on the ballot in the upcoming election. Without a "none of the above" on the ballot means the much ballyhooed TransLin...

  • Eric Chris's Study - Not having transit is more environmentally sustainable than having transit in Vancouver

    Eric Chris, sent the following to all local newspapers and municipal governments. It seems, TransLink and our regional transit planners may have it all wrong. To view the study in its entirety, please click on the link below. Transit ...

  • Another "Malcolm Letter", As TransLink Grinds Its Teeth.

    The letter in the Surrey Leader says it all.............. Sales tax wonai??i??t resolve transit ills Published: August 28, 2013 The notion that a $0.5-per-cent sales tax increase will solve TransLinkai??i??s financial ills is naive in the extreme; sp...

  • A letter worth reading!

    Mr. Brussac knows transit. He has lived and traveled in Europe and is well acquainted with transit operation and fare collection and his letters are always worth a read, as one learns something from them. Comparison to Europeai??i??s system childish...

  • EDITORIAL: Compass Card blunder will cost TransLink

    From the South Delta Leader. EDITORIAL: Compass Card blunder will cost TransLink By Editorial - South Delta Leader Published: August 16, 2013 With TransLink set to role out the new Compass Card fare system next year, comes word this week that after...

  • Bring It On!

    [caption id="attachment_2608" align="aligncenter" width="502" caption="TransLink plays trains, while the regional transit system collapses!"][/caption] It seems the message is getting through and the recent pouts and threats from TransLink officials ab...

  • Eric Chris Writes a Letter to the Times.

    Eric Chris is a chemical engineer and with his analytical background he can see through TransLink's transit verbal diarrhea and understand the real problems facing TransLink. The same was true with the late Des Turner, who was also a chemical engineer ...

  • Letters to the Editor - The Return of the Interurban

    Tuesday, July 23: All aboard! Bring back the InterurbanVancouver SunJuly 22, 2013 Terry Nichols of the Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society operates the societyai??i??s recently restored BC Elecrtric Railway 1225 Interurban railcar at the Clov...

  • Light Rail Vehicle & Tramcar orders - 2013

    The following table gives the totals for Trams/LRV's on order + options, as at February 2013 Source Tramways & Urban Transit No 904 April 2013 Manufacturer City's Orders Options Sub-Total Orders Pending Ai?? Ai?? Ai?? Ai?? OrdersAi?? O...

  • SkyTrain Is At The Centre Of TransLink's Finacial Woes

    SkyTrain, the sum of TransLink's financial evils. Long time transit advocate, Malcolm Johnston has had a very good letter printed in the weeklies and at least one daily newspaper, pointing out that the SkyTrain and light-metro are at the root of TransL...

  • Light rail: SkyTrain most costly route

    Light rail: SkyTrain most costly route LANGLEY ADVANCE DECEMBER 31, 2010 Dear Editor, While local mayors bicker with TransLink over the funding of yet another grossly expensive metro line for the region, Rail for the Valley, in association with Leewood...

  • BCLocalNews.com - Fraser Valley Transit Study shows dated thinking about rail

    Fraser Valley Transit Study shows dated thinking about rail Published: December 29, 2010 2:00 PM Updated: December 29, 2010 2:21 PM The long awaited $400,000 Fraser Valley Transit StudyAi??Ai??has stale-dated by the September release of the independent...

  • Rail tracks should be built instead of roads

    Rail tracks should be built instead of roads BY HEIDI GRECO, VANCOUVER SUN DECEMBER 29, 2010 Re: Urgent upgrade pushed for Fraser Valley transit to deal with huge population growth, Dec. 21 It was good to see front-page coverage on the transit overhaul...

  • The cost of improved transit

    The cost of improved transit THE TIMES DECEMBER 24, 2010 Editor, the Times: "Now we know what we should focus on and what it will cost. It's a given we have to improve the system," as quoted from your article (Dec. 21 Times). This study and many like i...

  • Rail for the Valley simply makes sense

    Rail for the Valley simply makes sense THE TIMES DECEMBER 7, 2010 Editor, the Times: While local mayors bicker with TransLink over the funding of yet another grossly expensive metro line for the region, Rail for the Valley, in association with Leewood ...

  • South Delta Leader - LETTERA?ai??i??ai???Light rail the one

    LETTERA?ai??i??ai???Light rail the one Published: November 18, 2010 11:00 AM Updated: November 18, 2010 11:18 AM The ongoing debate about TransLink, taxes, bridge tolls, and transit will not be resolved if current planning practices continue. The probl...

  • Surrey Leader - DonA?ai??i??ai???t dismiss South-of-Fraser transit

    DonA?ai??i??ai???t dismiss South-of-Fraser transit Surrey Leader Published: November 04, 2010 12:00 PM The recent announcement by TransLink, concerning the Surrey Rapid Transit Study, dismissed the Interurban corridor as having no role to play in solvi...

  • Valley commuters need bridge

    Valley commuters need bridge By Christina Beaupre, The Province October 24, 2010 This is the first I've heard that the old Port Mann Bridge is going to be demolished! That bridge was an integral part of the Trans Canada Highway, which is supposed to co...

  • Uninformed about transit

    Uninformed about transit The Times October 19, 2010 Editor: Each time the light rail issue has been brought up Mayor Sharon Gaetz hasn't had any more insight than to say rail crossings would cost the city $500,000 each. Upper Prairie Road is shortly ge...

  • Chilliwack Progress - Light rail offers economic solution

    Light rail offers economic solution Published: October 25, 2010 6:00 PM It should be noted that ChilliwackA?ai??i??ai???s public transit is utilized by about one per cent of residents. We donA?ai??i??ai???t need studies to tell us the reason for that i...

  • Abbotsford News - Transit will work

    Transit will work Published: September 28, 2010 2:00 PM Updated: September 28, 2010 2:56 PM 0 Comments Would we make use of a light rail transit system in the Fraser Valley? Yes. All members of my family would use it, as well as my friends and many of ...

  • BCLocalNews.com - TramTrain a better investment

    TramTrain a better investment Published: October 18, 2010 4:00 PM Updated: October 18, 2010 4:10 PM Re: If they build it , will we ride? (Chilliwack Progress, Oct. 15). Mr. Blacklock raises some interesting points about the proposed Rail for the Valley...

  • BCLocalNews.com - Anti-LRT rhetoric comes to Surrey

    Anti-LRT rhetoric comes to Surrey Published: October 19, 2010 3:00 PM Updated: October 19, 2010 3:11 PM Editor: I see that TransLink is taking its well-honed dog and pony transit show to Surrey, and I hope residents watch out for the snake-oil that pas...

  • Surrey Leader - Valley ignored by TransLink

    Valley ignored by TransLink Published: October 19, 2010 4:00 PM Updated: October 19, 2010 4:31 PM The recent announcement by TransLink dismissing the Interurban corridor from transit consideration shows the provincial government to be completely out of...

  • Peace Arch News - Keep railing for commuter train

    Keep railing for commuter train Published: October 15, 2010 9:00 AM Updated: October 15, 2010 9:33 AM Editor: Re: Light rail would work here, Oct. 8. Kudos to columnist Frank Bucholtz for raising awareness of a viable alternative to SkyTrain expansion ...

  • Surrey Leader - Why no light rail?

    Why no light rail? Published: October 14, 2010 1:00 PM Updated: October 14, 2010 1:45 PM So Premier Campbell has promised SkyTrain to Langley, but does anyone believe him? To refresh everyoneA?ai??i??ai???sA?ai??i??ai??? memories, SkyTrain is a proprie...

  • Abbotsford News - RegionA?ai??i??ai???s mayors will be left waiting for SkyTrain

    RegionA?ai??i??ai???s mayors will be left waiting for SkyTrain Published: October 07, 2010 11:00 AM Updated: October 07, 2010 11:22 AM 0 Comments On Monday, Rail for the Valley and Leewood Projects (UK) released a historic and revolutionary TramTrain r...

  • Chilliwack Progress - Light rail delivers more bang for the buck

    Light rail delivers more bang for the buck Published: October 13, 2010 10:00 AM Updated: October 13, 2010 10:38 AM So Premier Campbell has promised SkyTrain to Langley, but does anyone believe him? To refresh everyoneA?ai??i??ai???s memory, SkyTrain is...

  • Chilliwack Progress - Message to transport minister

    Message to transport minister Published: August 20, 2010 9:00 AM Updated: August 20, 2010 9:45 AM Open letter to Chuck Strahl, federal minister of transportation. I am concerned about congestion on Highway No. 1, and the need for a passenger service fo...

  • Chilliwack Progress - A transportation vision for the future

    A transportation vision for the future Published: July 27, 2010 9:00 AM Updated: July 27, 2010 9:50 AM Re: Chilliwack not on board with commuter rail (Chilliwack Progress, July 20). Kudos to Mayor Gaetz for being patient and waiting for the results fro...

  • Transportation: TransLink dog and pony show selling snake oil

    Transportation: TransLink dog and pony show selling snake oil Langley Advance October 15, 2010 Dear Editor, I see that TransLink is taking its well-honed dog and pony transit show to Surrey, and I hope residents watch out for the snake-oil that passes ...

  • Rail readily beats SkyTrain

    Rail readily beats SkyTrain By John Buker, Langley Advance October 8, 2010 Dear Editor, Premier Gordon Campbell announced a SkyTrain line to Langley, and rapid buses from Langley to Chilliwack, with no timeline for implementation and no funding arrange...

  • Better solutions save farms

    Better solutions save farms By Eric J. Bysouth, Langley Advance September 17, 2010 Dear Editor, Obviously, Councillor Steve Ferguson [New road will benefit farms, Sept. 14 Letters, Langley Advance] did not, when he first voted yes, understand what is n...

  • TramTrain should steer us in the right direction

    TramTrain should steer us in the right direction By Malcolm Johnston, The Times September 28, 2010 Editor, the Times: Last Monday, Rail for the Valley and Leewood Projects (UK) released a historic and revolutionary TramTrain report for Metro Vancouver ...

  • Uninformed about transit

    Uninformed about transit The Times October 19, 2010 Editor: Each time the light rail issue has been brought up Mayor Sharon Gaetz hasn't had any more insight than to say rail crossings would cost the city $500,000 each. Upper Prairie Road is shortly ge...

  • SkyTrain pie in the sky

    SkyTrain pie in the sky The Times October 8, 2010 Editor: So Premier Gordon Campbell has promised SkyTrain to Langley, but does anyone believe him? To refresh everyones memory, SkyTrain is a proprietary, automatic railway that is now owned by Bombardie...

  • Back in the '40s rail worked well

    Back in the '40s rail worked well The Times October 5, 2010 Editor: (Re: Rail for the Valley) I have been following the progress on this initiative since it was first announced with great interest. In the 1940s we lived in Surrey, and our nearest stati...

  • Dream bigger transit dreams

    Dream bigger transit dreams The Times September 28, 2010 Editor: Re: Mayor remains mum on latest rail system study (Times, Sept. 24). The report on revival and enhancement of the interurban rail line (Chilliwack to Surrey) by David Cockle of Leewood Pr...

  • Valley transit much cheaper

    Valley transit much cheaper The Times September 28, 2010 Editor: This also an open letter to the government in Victoria and also to Mayor Gaetz and her people in Chilliwack. How wonderful to read about the sensible UK-based consultant David Cockle on l...

  • More vehicles will be driven

    More vehicles will be driven The Times September 24, 2010 Editor: In my opinion the light rail proposal is long overdue. Anyone who has driven Highway 1 from here to Vancouver realizes that it is almost impossible to find a particular time of day that ...

  • View obscured from ivory tower

    View obscured from ivory tower The Times July 16, 2010 Editor: This summer, interesting news will be released that will delight supporters of the Return of the Interurban to the Fraser Valley. In the Metro region, we have placed all our hopes for rail ...

  • Time to put pressure on officials

    Time to put pressure on officials The Times July 13, 2010 Editor: Regarding the remarks of Mayor Sharon Gaetz and Coun. Diane Janzen and those of previous mayors and councils about transit: They are very parochial and short-sighted. They do not see the...

  • Archive of earlier Letters to the Editor

    The following is a partial compilation of Letters to the Editor that were collected in the early years of the Rail For the Valley Campaign. Voice needed at transit table The Chilliwack Times Published March 16, 2010 Editor: I appreciate our mayorA...

Letter Archive:

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