(CBC News-British Columbia posted the following report on its website on November 17.)
VANCOUVER — Two B.C.-based rail companies are seeking Victoria’s approval to set up a new passenger rail service along the Vancouver-Whistler-Prince George corridor.
The government-owned B.C. Rail shut down almost all of its passenger service last year.
One of the companies — Whistler Railtours — is making a presentation to the provincial cabinet Monday, detailing the benefits of its proposal.
CEO John Haibeck says what’s unique about his proposal is that it would offer more than just a specialized rail service for tourists.
He says many communities along the line want regular passenger service, “What they didn’t want is nothing more than a cruise ship on wheels,” says Haibeck.
He says selling tourists on the Vancouver-Whistler is relatively easy.
“It’s beyond Whistler where your volumes drop. You can’t afford to use conventional equipment,” says Heibeck.
Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tours also wants to provide service along the the B.C. Rail route — but more as a tourist operation.
“What we know is tourism. We’re not in the transportation or transit business per se. So our operation will be geared as a tourism entity,” says company spokesperson Graham Gilly.
Both companies say they need a decision by January so they can get trains running on the route in 2005.
The government still hasn’t asked for proposals for passenger rail service, and is still sorting out which private company will run the freight side of B.C. Rail.