3387 replies to this topic

[Matt R.]

I'm sure they'll figure it out. It can't be that difficult to trigger the gates/lights. I can also see the bus stopping at crossings just as a matter of fact, and I would imagine there'll be bus stops at crossings.

Dudebro bc transit can’t even figure out copy+paste for accepting tap on busses here.

[splashflash]

You can’t (easily) run buses across rail rights of way. None of the level crossings are legal for that.

Any plan like this makes no sense whatsoever.

Buses will have to activate the lights and gates if they want to proceed through the level crossing at any speed over say 5mph. Maybe even at any speed whatsoever. There is absolutely no pecedent for that (yet alone the proven, redundant technology) anywhere in North America. We do not have the laws for it either.

We don't have such laws in BC but it's no longer true that North America doesn't have such a system for buses.

In Los Angeles the G Line busway has railway-style crossings.
From Wikipedia: "As part of the LA Metro system enhancements approved by voters in 2016 with Measure M, Metro is implementing several major upgrades to the G Line. These include railroad-style four-quadrant crossing gates with traffic signal preemption at all at-grade intersections between North Hollywood station and just east of Van Nuys station, a new elevated Van Nuys station, and bridges over Van Nuys Boulevard, Vesper Street, and Sepulveda Boulevard. Improved traffic signal priority will also be introduced at all other intersections. All work is being designed to accommodate the future conversion of the busway to light rail."

To prepare for the project, Metro built a prototype railroad-style crossing gate system at the Hayvenhurst Avenue pedestrian crossing, the first of its kind on a busway in the United States. The installation was completed in February 2022.[35
https://en.wikipedia...s_Angeles_Metro)

I am very optimistic compared to rail, as the 2020 study showed the possibility of a single or two lane busway at ts to $110M cheaper than rail. The flexibility is much greater, with the study showing three distinct sections with the mid to avoid the FN reservations, if needed.

Edited by splashflash, 18 October 2025 - 01:15 AM.

[splashflash]

How is a bus coming through the rail ROW evey 3 or 7 minutes or whatever going to help the vehicle traffic around those ROWs?

And how are the neighbours going to like the bells at those crossings going off 124 times per day?

It's folly.

Maybe it could be robobuses. The buses on the LA G Line don't have bells, presumably because they are considered able to stop quick enough to not warrant them. I'm not sure about the gates if they have bells.

This could be used up the Malahat too and serve as a emergency bypass and perhaps for trucks. A bus road is easier to build than rail since lesser grade restrictuons allow for cutting back to the main highway north of Goldstream Park.

Edited by splashflash, 18 October 2025 - 01:06 AM.

[splashflash]

I count 14 crossings between Vic West (Bayview) and the Island Highway overpass in View Royal. Three are between Bayview and the Esquimalt Road crossing.

2 crossings between Island Highway and downtown Langford at Veterans.

3 more through to Langford Lake.

Any mention of the busway continuing up the Malahat? Few crossings there.

Edited by splashflash, 18 October 2025 - 01:51 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Any mention of the busway continuing up the Malahat? Few crossings there.

 

Here is a perfectly shovel-ready project that can be put in place now.

 

Make the right-of way over the Malahat a paved bike and walking trail, wide enough and strong enough for two-way very slow traffic, open only for detours, and with a rail down the centre or one side, but plugged up until such time as rail possibly returns.

 

 

I do not know eactly how you do it, but there should be some way.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 18 October 2025 - 02:24 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

 

 

 

 

 

Now, also replace the to main trestles, but make them with extra viewing areas for pedstrians, and improve the pedestrian trail to get to them from Goldstream Park.

[Victoria Watcher]

[lanforod]

All mode share? What tells people and vehicles to get out of the trains way?

[Victoria Watcher]

All mode share? What tells people and vehicles to get out of the trains way?

 

No, no.  The rail is only there for possible future use.   

 

The road is only there for emergency vehicle use when a Malahat detour is needed.  Police open and close it to one-way or two-way traffic.

 

The rest of the time it's just a pedestrian and bike trail.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 18 October 2025 - 06:28 AM.

[Mike K.]

Any mention of the busway continuing up the Malahat? Few crossings there.

Yes it may, but the immediate focus is on the CRD portion.

[Mike K.]

Some progress here, maybe. But the alignment on reserve lands will be returned to the affected nations.

Release from today:

A coalition of First Nations and local governments announced today that they are working together on a shared vision to explore the potential for passenger rail
service on the Island Rail Corridor between Victoria and Langford.

The Reconciliation Corridor Initiative, led by the Lekwungen Nations – Esquimalt
Nation (Kosapsum) and Songhees Nation - responds to the provincial government’s call
for a shared vision for the corridor that will reflect the interests of all residents of the
Capital Region and fully acknowledge the rights of the Nations.

Esquimalt Nation Chief Jerome Thomas and Songhees Nation Chief Ron Sam were joined
by partners from the Capital Regional District, the City of Victoria, the Township of
Esquimalt, the Town of View Royal, the City of Langford and the City of Colwood. Together, they signed a Reconciliation Corridor Agreement, marking their commitment to what is being described as a first-of-its-kind, reconciliation-based approach to regional transportation and community wellbeing.

The Initiative recognizes the Island Rail Corridor as an important regional asset and a
potential catalyst for achieving shared benefits. A key element of this vision is the
realignment of the Corridor to ensure it no longer bisects existing residential areas of the
Esquimalt Nation’s reserve lands. That part of the Corridor would be remediated and
returned to the Esquimalt Nation’s reserve lands. All parties in the coalition support
investigating how this could be accomplished.
In addition to Corridor realignment and rail feasibility, the partners will explore broader
opportunities – such as transit-oriented development and economic development
opportunities for the Nations at key areas along the Corridor, including on reserve lands,
where desirable.

The coalition will also explore how the Corridor could help address transportation
challenges in fast-growing communities such as Langford, Colwood, Esquimalt and View
Royal. Improved connectivity to major regional employers, including CFB Esquimalt and the Esquimalt Graving Dock, is among the potential benefits under consideration.
Persistent traffic congestion in these areas has underscored the need for new transit
solutions and the reactivation of underused transportation corridors.

Next Steps:
The Initiative partners are commissioning a technical feasibility study to evaluate the
corridor, including alignment considerations, transit-oriented development opportunities,
and financial and technical feasibility of supporting passenger rail service. The study is
expected to provide results in 12 to16 months. Findings will be shared with other
organizations involved in transportation planning in the region.

At this stage, no specific outcome is being endorsed or predetermined. The focus is on
gathering the information required to make informed, evidence-based decisions that
reflect community needs and obligations.

Quotes:

Quotes:
Chief Jerome Thomas, Esquimalt Nation
“This is a historic day; one filled with hope and the opportunity to correct some of the
wrongs in our shared history. The Island Rail Corridor has bisected our reserve land and
traditional territory for more than 100 years and we are now taking meaningful steps toward
reconciliation.
This is reconciliation in action – working with local municipal leaders on a path that
includes land back for our Nation and a shared vision to bring back a functioning rail line to
help reduce traffic in our communities.
Our working group is grounded in community-led decision-making, which recognizes our
title to the corridor lands and focuses on how these lands, guided by our Nations, can help
improve public transportation for the benefit of everyone.”
Chief Ron Sam, Songhees Nation
“For the Lekwungen People, the story of the railway began in a time when our lands were
taken and our voices were not heard. That brutal history can’t be separated from this
conversation. But as we look to the future of reconciliation, this next chapter starts with
Lekwungen leadership.
We’re looking at how a regional rail line could bring people together, connect communities,
and support economic opportunities that work for everyone, starting with our Nations and
our values.”
2
Capital Regional District Board Chair, Cliff McNeil-Smith
“This initiative represents an opportunity to demonstrate how the rail corridor can benefit
transportation planning in the region and how this partnership contributes to the CRD
Board’s regional transportation goals and meaningful collaboration with First Nations.”
Mayor Marianne Alto, City of Victoria
“The City of Victoria remains committed to reconciliation with our First Nations partners.
Our inclusion in this agreement demonstrates our respect for the Lekwungen Nations’ right
to determine the use of their current lands and to lead an exploration of one aspect of a
regional transportation strategy that will provide economic vitality and community
wellbeing for all.”
Mayor Barb Desjardins, Township of Esquimalt
“The Township of Esquimalt is grateful to the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations for providing
leadership and a pathway forward that teaches us all how to understand the opportunity to
use this rail corridor in the CRD.
With reconciliation as our focus, we can build stronger relationships for other regional
needs and create a potential model for beneficial use of the whole corridor.”
Mayor Sid Tobias, Town of View Royal
“Today’s announcement is a precedent-setting moment where Indigenous leadership is the
catalyst for the development of an informed and inspired vision for the rail corridor that will
promote community wellbeing and shared prosperity for all citizens.
The rail corridor is a strategic infrastructure asset that already exists and this initiative is a
demonstration of what reconciliation can look like at the local level.
Our region is growing. Our roads are slowing. Our climate is struggling. Our challenges are
not hypothetical—they are here, now, and measurable.
The Town of View Royal is proud to stand with the Lekwungen Nations and our municipal
colleagues in support of the Reconciliation Corridor Initiative.”
Mayor Scott Goodmanson, City of Langford
“Langford is honoured to work with the Lekwungen Nations and local governments on the
Reconciliation Corridor initiative.
This project aims to improve transportation options, support economic growth, and
strengthen communities. We are working together to create a shared vision for the Island
Rail Corridor that will deliver long-term benefits to the whole region. ”
3
Mayor Doug Kobayashi, City of Colwood
“Colwood is proud to stand with the Lekwungen Nations and our regional partners in
shaping a shared vision for the Island Rail Corridor.
This collaboration represents a meaningful step toward reconciliation, while also giving us
the chance to explore transportation solutions that reflect the needs of our rapidly growing
West Shore communities.
By working together — respectfully, transparently, and guided by Indigenous leadership —
we are ensuring that decisions about this corridor are thoughtful, evidence-based, and
made with future generations in mind. ”
CEO Island Corridor Foundation, Thomas Bevan
“It has been a privilege to witness the creation of the Reconciliation Corridor Initiative, a
government-to-government partnership led by the Esquimalt Nation and Songhees Nation.
It has taken the will, creativity, patience, and respect of everyone involved to get to this
unprecedented convergence of intention and purpose. The Corridor is an irreplaceable
resource that has the potential to heal and unite regions in this manner all along the Island
Rail Corridor. ”
-30-
Accompanying materials:

[Victoria Watcher]

 

^ There is no way to route the rail differently.

 

 

Could they run it along Admirals Road?   Maybe.  For a few hundred millon dollars.  But even then not sure how you get it back to the track north of Hallowell.  It's not like the track can take 90-degree turns.  Or in that case, it needs about a 110-degree turn.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 11 December 2025 - 02:36 PM.

[splashflash]

[quote name="Mike K." post="797945" Some progress[/quote]
Huh? This is a rail-only study. Previous study, only six years old validated the bus lanes on TC as the best choice. Bus lanes need study, not rail.

[Victoria Watcher]

At least this dead horse is around to flog another day!

[dasmo]

This is another artery through the immutable Thetis Lake pinch point. Bus lanes are not. 

[splashflash]

Bus lanes on the railbed would and buses on the TC west of Burnside/Island Hwy would too.

[dasmo]

Bus can’t even get an app working properly…

[splashflash]

Bus can’t even get an app working properly…

And you think rail will be better? Look at the newly opened 10km light rail in Toronto:
https://www.blogto.c...ix-toronto-lrt/
12 years ago: https://torontosun.c...l-be-a-disaster
Today: https://ca.news.yaho...-140207135.html
https://www.theglobe...ransit-service/

[dasmo]

Not necessarily. But boondoggle is the baseline for any government project. Bus, train, bridge, ferry. So it’s not an argument for or against any option.

Edited by dasmo, 11 December 2025 - 10:12 PM.

[Mike K.]

Victorians refuse to pay $3 for a bus ride. The train will cost at least twice that.