News Release - October 2, 2008
LANGFORD - The Campbell government must step up and fund commuter rail on Vancouver Island, say the New Democrats. Opposition MLAs John Horgan and Maurine Karagianis challenged the government to do its part during the Standing Committee on Finance hearing today at the Royal Canadian Legion in Langford. "The Campbell government has ignored the opportunity for light rail transit in the Capital Regional District, and today's submissions are an opportunity to get back on track," said John Horgan, New Democrat MLA for Malahat-Juan de Fuca. "British Columbians are furious about being hit with Campbell's gas tax, especially in regions where alternative transportation is lacking or extremely outdated." Horgan said that part of the real solutions to climate change is providing transit alternatives that work. "The leaders in my community understand that commuter rail has a role to play, but there's no leadership from the provincial government." Communities for Commuter Rail, the Island Corridor Foundation, and the Town of View Royal made submissions on the use of the E&N rail line for commuter service. The community groups all agree that commuter rail is a service with a future, but they cannot do it without government support. "Congestion on the roads along the West Shore, across the Malahat, and up the Island continue to worsen," said Maurine Karagianis, New Democrat critic for transportation. "Commuters have no alternative, and so they are forced to drive their vehicles. Campbell's gas tax does nothing to reduce gridlock on our roads or provide choices for commuters." Karagianis said Campbell's transit plan for the region has consistently ignored the opportunity for commuter rail as an alternative to the automobile. "It's Campbell's plan that is stuck in the last century," she says. "Commuter rail has enormous potential, but there's no leadership and Gordon Campbell is completely out of touch with the transit needs of the region."
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Media Contact Edward May 250-208-2554
