Correspondence from Gwyer Webber Re: Vancouver Island Rail Transit
Email and proposal for a phased rail transit system connecting Vancouver Island communities using the E&N line.
From: Gwyer Webber Sent: Monday, November 9, 2020 10:59 AM To: Mayor And Council Email mayorandcouncil@viewroyal.ca Subject: Vancouver Island rail Transit
Dear Mayor and Council,
The attached is a revision of the Vancouver Island Rail Transit.
Phase 1 is the Inter City Rail on the E&N, Phase 2 is Commuter Rail on the E&N from Westhills to Victoria, Phase 3 is an automated metro from Langford Exchange to the Legislature Building, and Phase 4 is an extension from Uptown to Sidney.
The estimated cost to upgrade the entire E&N rail line (289km) to the Intermediate Phase in the IRCCA report is less than the estimated cost for the Commuter Rail from Westhills to Victoria (16km). Upgrading the E&N to the Ultimate Phase would allow any number of passenger trains and freight trains to run on the line. The cost of upgrading the entire rail line would be around $ 1.5 to $2.5 million dollars/km. The cost of the cancelled Surrey LRT was $157 million dollars/km.
The Inter City schedule in the Vancouver Island Rail Transit would allow passengers to go from one end of the line to the other end, spend a few hours in the city and then return the same day including Pt Alberni and cities in between. The Commuter Rail schedule only requires 2 trains to run in the morning and afternoon rush hours, providing service in both directions, and could continue throughout the day if required.
Battery Electric Multiple Units would not require overhead electric lines except at specific stations for a quick charge. It would follow the Climate Action Plan in reducing the carbon footprint and a recent German study has found that battery electric trains are 35% cheaper than hydrogen fuel cell trains taking into account the purchase, operation, and maintenance for 30 years.
In Phase 3 the Langford Line is elevated with a short section of underground (2.2km) from the Memorial Arena to the Legislative Building on Superior St. Langford Exchange to the Legislature Building is 23 minutes whereas a surface LRT would be 44 minutes. A surface LRT would eliminate the Bus/HOV lanes along Hwy 1 and Douglas St, putting the Cowichan Commuter service back into the regular traffic lanes.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Gwyer Webber
4867 Salmon Berry Way, Nanaimo, BC V9V 1T4
Vancouver Island Rail Transit
Nov 2020 Written by Gwyer Webber 2018-2020
This rail transit option would connect most of the communities on Vancouver Island using the E&N and Rail Rapid Transit within the CRD. Each phase would be built when funding is available.
E&N
Phase 1: Inter City Rail - 289km ($400 million – $750 million dollars)
- The entire line would be upgraded to the Intermediate Phase or the Ultimate Phase per the Island Rail Corridor Condition Assessment Summary.
- Stations at Victoria, Langford (Exchange), Shawnigan Lake, Duncan, Chemainus, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Bowser, Courtenay, Coombs, and Port Alberni. Future station at Nanaimo Airport. A maintenance yard in Nanaimo.
- A new bridge across the Inner Harbour and the track extended to Douglas St.
- Storage sidings with charge points in Victoria, Courtenay, and Port Alberni.
- 6 Battery Electric Multiple Units (4 in service and 2 spare).
Schedule: Example
Based on 80km/hr average speed from Courtenay to Shawnigan Lake and an average speed of 24km/hr to 70km/hr between Shawnigan Lake and Victoria. A 10 minute layover in Nanaimo.
Southbound
| Station | Train 1 | Train 2 | Train 3 | Train 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courtenay | 08:00:00 | * | 16:00:00 | * |
| Bowser | 08:31:00 | * | 16:31:00 | * |
| Qualicum Beach | 08:46:00 | * | 16:46:00 | * |
| Port Alberni | * | 10:00:00 | * | 18:00:00 |
| Coombs | * | 10:48:00 | * | 18:48:00 |
| Parksville | 08:54:00 | 10:54:00 | 16:54:00 | 18:54:00 |
| Lantzville | 09:09:00 | 11:09:00 | 17:09:00 | 19:09:00 |
| Nanaimo Arrive | 09:22:00 | 11:22:00 | 17:22:00 | 19:22:00 |
| Nanaimo (Depart) | 09:32:00 | 11:32:00 | 17:32:00 | 19:32:00 |
| Ladysmith | 09:49:00 | 11:49:00 | 17:49:00 | 19:49:00 |
| Chemainus | 09:58:00 | 11:58:00 | 17:58:00 | 19:58:00 |
| Duncan | 10:12:00 | 12:12:00 | 18:12:00 | 20:12:00 |
| Shawnigan Lake | 10:27:00 | 12:27:00 | 18:27:00 | 20:27:00 |
| Langford (Exchange) | 10:55:00 | 12:55:00 | 18:55:00 | 20:55:00 |
| Victoria | 11:20:00 | 13:20:00 | 19:20:00 | 21:20:00 |
Northbound
| Station | Train 3 | Train 4 | Train 1 | Train 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria | 08:00:00 | 10:00:00 | 16:00:00 | 18:00:00 |
| Langford (Exchange) | 08:25:00 | 10:25:00 | 16:25:00 | 18:25:00 |
| Shawnigan Lake | 08:53:00 | 10:53:00 | 16:53:00 | 18:53:00 |
| Duncan | 09:08:00 | 11:08:00 | 17:08:00 | 19:08:00 |
| Chemainus | 09:22:00 | 11:22:00 | 17:22:00 | 19:22:00 |
| Ladysmith | 09:31:00 | 11:31:00 | 17:31:00 | 19:31:00 |
| Nanaimo (Arrive) | 09:48:00 | 11:48:00 | 17:48:00 | 19:48:00 |
| Nanaimo (Depart) | 09:58:00 | 11:58:00 | 17:58:00 | 19:58:00 |
| Lantzville | 10:11:00 | 12:11:00 | 18:11:00 | 20:11:00 |
| Parksville | 10:26:00 | 12:26:00 | 18:26:00 | 20:26:00 |
| Coombs | * | 12:32:00 | * | 20:32:00 |
| Port Alberni | * | 13:20:00 | * | 21:20:00 |
| Qualicum Beach | 10:34:00 | * | 18:34:00 | * |
| Bowser | 10:49:00 | * | 18:49:00 | * |
| Courtenay | 11:20:00 | * | 18:20:00 | * |
Downtown Victoria
Johnson St
Rail Vehicles
Texrail in Texas is running four car Stadler Flirt which are FRA compliant and can run with freight. Ottawa has purchased the Stadler Flirt DEMU (Pictured below) for their Trillium Line. San Bernardino California has ordered the Stadler Flirt H2 hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles. Germany has ordered Stadler Flirt BEMU (Battery Electric Multiple Unit) and there will be a BEMU for North America.
Siemens, Alstom, and Bombardier have a BEMU for Europe.
Phase 2: Optional Commuter Rail (Approximately $150 million dollars)
- Add a station at Westhills, Four Mile, Esquimalt, Roundhouse and Downtown.
- Add sidings for passing, storage and charging.
- Upgrade signaling in Section 1.
- 3 additional Battery Electric Multiple Units (2 in service and 1 spare).
Schedule: Example
(Note: Inter City Rail Schedule would need to adjust for the Commuter Rail)
Commuter Southbound AM
| Station | Train 5 | Train 6 | Train 5 | Train 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westhills | 06:30:00 | 07:00:00 | 07:30:00 | 08:00:00 |
| Langford | 06:33:00 | 07:03:00 | 07:33:00 | 08:03:00 |
| Four Mile | 06:42:00 | 07:12:00 | 07:42:00 | 08:42:00 |
| Admirals | 06:45:00 | 07:15:00 | 07:45:00 | 08:45:00 |
| Roundhouse | 06:55:00 | 07:25:00 | 07:55:00 | 08:55:00 |
| Downtown | 06:58:00 | 07:28:00 | 07:58:00 | 08:28:00 |
Commuter Northbound AM
| Station | Train 5 | Train 6 | Train 5 | Train 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown | 07:00:00 | 07:30:00 | 08:00:00 | 08:30:00 |
| Roundhouse | 07:03:00 | 07:33:00 | 08:03:00 | 08:33:00 |
| Admirals | 07:13:00 | 07:43:00 | 08:13:00 | 08:43:00 |
| Four Mile | 07:16:00 | 07:46:00 | 08:16:00 | 08:46:00 |
| Langford | 07:25:00 | 07:55:00 | 08:25:00 | 08:55:00 |
| Westhills | 07:28:00 | 07:58:00 | 08:28:00 | 08:58:00 |
Commuter Southbound PM
| Station | Train 5 | Train 6 | Train 5 | Train 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westhills | 16:00:00 | 16:30:00 | 17:00:00 | 17:30:00 |
| Langford | 16:03:00 | 16:33:00 | 17:03:00 | 17:33:00 |
| Four Mile | 16:12:00 | 16:42:00 | 17:12:00 | 17:42:00 |
| Admirals | 16:15:00 | 16:45:00 | 17:15:00 | 17:45:00 |
| Roundhouse | 16:25:00 | 16:55:00 | 17:25:00 | 17:55:00 |
| Downtown | 16:28:00 | 16:58:00 | 17:28:00 | 17:28:00 |
Commuter Northbound PM
| Station | Train 5 | Train 6 | Train 5 | Train 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown | 16:30:00 | 17:00:00 | 17:30:00 | 18:30:00 |
| Roundhouse | 16:33:00 | 17:03:00 | 17:33:00 | 18:33:00 |
| Admirals | 16:43:00 | 17:13:00 | 17:43:00 | 18:43:00 |
| Four Mile | 16:46:00 | 17:16:00 | 17:46:00 | 18:46:00 |
| Langford | 16:55:00 | 17:25:00 | 17:55:00 | 18:55:00 |
| Westhills | 16:58:00 | 17:28:00 | 17:58:00 | 18:58:00 |
CRD Rail Rapid Transit
Phase 3: Victoria & Langford Line - 16km (Automated Metro)
- The line would start at Langford Exchange and run along Station Ave, Goldstream Ave, Island Hwy, Hwy 1, Blanshard St, Douglas St, and end at Superior St.
- Stations at Langford Exchange, Grainger Rd, Colwood Exchange, Wilfert Rd, Six Mile Rd, Helmcken Rd, Interurban Rd, Uptown, Oak St, Finlayson St, Hillside Ave, Memorial Centre, View St, and Superior St.
- The travel time from Langford Exchange to Downtown Victoria would be 21 minutes and the travel time from Langford Exchange to the Legislature Buildings is 23 minutes.
Phase 4: Victoria & Sidney Line - 22km (Automated Metro)
- The line would run from Beacon Ave in Sidney along the Pat Bay Hwy (mainly on the surface) and merge with the line from Langford at Uptown.
- Stations at Beacon Ave, McTavish Rd, Mt Newton Cross Rd, Island View Rd, Sayward Rd, Royal Oak Dr, and McKenzie Ave.
- The travel time from Sidney to Downtown Victoria (26km) would be approximately 30 minutes.
Note: The cancelled Surrey SNG LRT (surface) was estimated at $157 million dollars/km and Skytrain along the Fraser Hwy (elevated) is estimated at $195 million dollars/km. LRT would eliminate the bus lanes along Douglas St, Island Hwy, and parts of Hwy 1, Skytrain would not.
Uptown Route (Example)
Average Speed
The table below shows the average speed of rail transit systems being built or are in service.
| City | Toronto Streetcar | Toronto LRT | Cancelled Surrey LRT | Waterloo LRT | Vancouver Skytrain | Vancouver Skytrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Line | Tram 501 | Finch West | SNG | Ion | Canada Line | Expo Line |
| Average Speed | 14.5km/hr | 17.4km/hr | 23.3km/hr | 26.5km/hr | 36km/hr | 45km/hr |
| Average Distance Between Stations | 275m | 650m | 1050m | 1260m | 1250m | 1500m |
Note: The average speed is calculated using the distance of the line and the time it takes to travel that distance including the station stops.
Disclaimer
The author is not a professional planner or affiliated with any transportation body, consulting group, lobby group, or committee. The document is written to show possible rail transit options. The calculations are as accurate as possible based on information available on the internet.