It's the wave of the future -- maybe we should get used to it

Fellow blogger and artiste extraordinaire Andrea mentioned in her comment on my last blog that she was pleasantly surprised that there was a train running from Courtenay to Victoria on Vancouver Island. Indeed there is, and has been since 1914. I wrote an earlier blog (Feb. 5, 2007) on how I loved that little old train.

I am a rail romantic. I love that clickety-clack and watching the world whisk by via the backdoors of people’s houses. Casey Jones is my hero, and the only ‘other’ Gordon Lightfoot song I like (other than If You Could Read My Mind) is Canadian Railroad Trilogy.

When I lived in England 25 years ago I used the train all the time. It was costly, and was rarely on time, but I still loved it.

I like the freedom and relative comfort of trains. You can get up, walk around, grab something to eat or drink and do whatever you wish to fill in the time. A highlight of my travel experiences was getting a bedroom and traveling across Canada by train. I have also traveled around Europe on a Eurorail Pass (even went on the Orient Express – no spies or murders, by the way), and passed through the Simplon Tunnel. I have been on the crack new French trains (which are amazing), and took the delightful coastal trip on Amtrak from San Diego to LA. I heartily recommend that one.

Oh, I could go on and on. And I must suggest that one area in which the Europeans put us to shame is in their embracing of rail transport. And why not? If we are really serious about our so-called carbon footprint, that is where the government should be dumping its (our) money, rather than enhancing intercoursing freeways. If you want to get people out of their cars, then let them take to the rails. The rails on main lines, commuter lines, and street railways.

Grenoble France has a wonderful and modern street railway system (see picture). We used it all the time when we were living there in 2006. Never once did we feel the lack of a car in terms of our ability to get around quickly and comfortably.

I write this because it was just announced that the feds are dumping a gazillion dollars on local governments to upgrade their transportation systems. What is moronic Victoria doing? It’s establishing special ‘bus’ lanes? Don’t be suggesting light rail transit. Not in the cards. No, hydrocarbon spewing buses will have their own lanes and that will allegedly answer the problems and get folk out of their cars. Regular old diesel engine (not even electric) buses will be the wave of Victoria’s future until at least 2030 says the good minister of all that stuff.
You sir, are an ass if you don’t see the logical flaws in this. Those buses will still use the product of our diminishing oil reserves, will still be adding their crud to the atmosphere, and will not discourage people from using their cars. After all, buses are buses – buses are the only form of transit even more execrable than commercial aircraft.

Light rail runs on electricity. Is silent. Does not pollute. Does not interfere with street traffic. Offers a pleasing alternative to the private vehicle. I will ask of the governments, both civic and provincial the same question a fellow counsellor used to ask of addicts and alcoholics in denial: “What don’t you get?”

British Columbians and those who live in other places in which their governments at all levels embrace freeways and petroleum guzzling private vehicles and buses should use their lobbying power to let the brass know: We're mad as hell about this, so get with the program!