In response to the letter “Sea to Sky – On Track” [published Aug. 14], people seem excited that CN Rail’s decision to end operations in the Sea to Sky could open an opportunity for passenger rail service. But I have one simple question for those who support this idea: Where will you go?
From Squamish to Whistler or Pemberton? It would be a fun ride, but I can’t imagine our community has enough people making that trip regularly for a train to be viable (per The Squamish Chief, only 8% of our workers commute to Whistler).
Will you ride Squamish to Vancouver? Those tracks aren’t part of what CN is decommissioning. And even if they were, the maximum rail speed allowed on that segment of track means a trip from Squamish to downtown Vancouver would take roughly two hours.
I am all for green transport, but let’s focus on more sensible solutions. A bus, maybe even electric, from Squamish to North Vancouver or downtown, let’s make it happen! An HOV lane on the highway to reduce congestion by getting people onto the bus or carpooling, sure!
But let’s not pour millions of dollars into a train that’s slower and less convenient than a car on a route that may hardly be used. We’re better off pulling out the tracks and creating a bike path from Squamish to 100 Mile. That wouldn’t cost taxpayers a fortune and would give us a piece of world-class recreational infrastructure that could last for generations.
Jesse Van Hove
Squamish
