The province says it’s ready to hand over 7 million dollars it promised in 2011 to get passenger trains rolling again along the E&N corridor.
But, there are still a couple of strings attached: The federal government needs to confirm its 7.5 million dollar share, and the Island Corridor Foundation needs to show the work can be done within the 20.4 million dollar total budget.
Island Regional Districts will cover the other 5.9 million.
ICF co-chair and Nanaimo mayor Bill McKay says, “The provincial
review has been extensive and we are pleased Minister Stone has confirmed the provincial funding today. We look forward to the federal government making a similar announcement in the near future.”
Nanaimo Alberni MP James Lunney says he’s confident it will come together.
When the service returns, it will run twice daily between Nanaimo and Victoria, to Qualicum Beach on Wednesdays and
weekends, and up to Courtenay on weekends and stat holidays.
There’s still no timeline for work on the track upgrades, and no date for the start of service. It’s been more than 4 years since passenger trains were pulled off the E&N because of safety issues.
