Skiers and Hikers May Soon Ride the Rails!

Could adventure seekers soon be traveling from Metro Vancouver to the stunning Whistler ski slopes on a sleek passenger train? This exciting prospect has emerged following CN Rail's announcement to cease operations and maintenance on the rail line it oversees between Squamish and 100 Mile House.

A Major Shift in Rail Operations

While CN Rail currently holds a long-standing lease on the historic BC Rail corridor, they revealed in a recent three-year plan that they intend to abandon this route. However, they will continue to maintain the railway section between North Vancouver and Squamish.

"With declining customer demand and high lease maintenance costs, CN is looking to relinquish the lease and potentially abandon the line altogether," stated Jeremy Valeriote, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea-to-Sky.

A Golden Opportunity for Passenger Rail!

Valeriote sees this situation as a golden opportunity to reintroduce passenger rail to a region rapidly growing in population and tourism appeal, all while grappling with increasing traffic congestion along the Sea-to-Sky Highway. New technological advancements make it feasible to run efficient, high-speed services on this historically tricky terrain.

The timing couldn’t be better; Valeriote emphasized that this gives local governments about a year to create a viable business case for a rail service.

Government Interest and Support

Discussing this opportunity further, Liberal MP Patrick Wieler echoed Valeriote's enthusiasm, calling it a "once-in-a-generation opportunity." He highlighted the potential for a new operator to collaborate with CN, opening the route not just to Whistler but possibly extending to Pemberton and beyond.

Wheeler noted, "There is immense interest surrounding this initiative, especially regarding its potential to ease congestion and enhance the tourism economy. It’s a win-win!"

Planning for the Future

B.C.'s Ministry of Transportation is actively exploring "long-term options" for regional inter-city transport, particularly for the popular Sea-to-Sky corridor. They are currently in discussions with local governments and First Nations to pave the way for passenger rail services.

Potential Challenges Ahead

However, not all news is positive. The Rocky Mountaineer, a beloved tourist attraction, has expressed concerns that if CN proceeds with its plans, they may have to shut down their famed Rainforest to Gold Rush route, which runs from North Vancouver to Jasper via Whistler and Quesnel.

The future of rail travel in this beautiful region hangs in the balance, but one thing is clear: the opportunity to connect Metro Vancouver and Whistler by train is on the horizon! Will we soon see sleek trains gliding through the scenic landscapes? Only time will tell!