Shutdown of Vancouver Island passenger rail service could be permanent unless $15 million in repair cash arrives soon from Ottawa and Victoria.

B次元官网网址淎s things stand today, without a commitment for the $15-million investment by late spring, the Island Corridor Foundation will have to develop a plan for an orderly shut down of rail service,B次元官网网址� Graham Bruce, ICFB次元官网网址檚 executive director, said Wednesday.

Recent replacement of 1,500 worn-out rail ties between Victoria and Nanaimo was hoped to get train service back on track after it was stalled March 21.

But with ICFB次元官网网址檚 funding requests now in limbo during federal election campaigning B次元官网网址� and a possible B.C. vote sometime this summer B次元官网网址� Bruce fears Island train service could be history.

B次元官网网址淧ublic service canB次元官网网址檛 be reinstated without substantial capital improvements,B次元官网网址� he told Black Press.

That means replacing about 104,000 ties B次元官网网址� not just 1,500 B次元官网网址� plus track ballasting and hefty bridge and trestle assessments, to bring the line to safety snuff.

Crews realized how bad the line had deteriorated after initial tie replacement was done.

B次元官网网址淚t was apparent we couldnB次元官网网址檛 get the track to the safety standards and be comfortable with it,B次元官网网址� Bruce said of inspections after the 1,500 ties were spiked.

B次元官网网址淲e gave it the old college try.B次元官网网址�

Don McGregor, general manager of Southern Rail Vancouver Island, the company contracted to run Island rail freight for the ICF, said his trains continue to roll out of the Nanaimo railyard for customers in Duncan and Courtenay.

But theyB次元官网网址檙e running at a slower-than-usual pace to meet safety regulations due to the deteriorating track conditions.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 not practical on the passenger side,B次元官网网址� McGregor said.

With the Dayliner already operating at a reduced speed, the round-trip between Victoria and Courtenay was taking 10 hours.

B次元官网网址淚t would take two days to get back to Victoria,B次元官网网址� if the trains slowed any further, McGregor said.

Bruce has carried the funding football to B.C. Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom, and his former federal counterpart Chuck Strahl, optimistic each would kick $7.5 million into the Via revamp.

But it seems ICF upgrades are victims of voter circumstance.

B次元官网网址淲e need answers now, but I understand the situation,B次元官网网址� Bruce said.

He and ICF partners, spanning regional boards and First Nations, are still eager to secure the islandB次元官网网址檚 rail future, and the jobs involved, with a greener option to roads.

B次元官网网址淸Debate] needs to recognize the end of cheap oil and the reality of higher gas prices,B次元官网网址� Bruce states.

Leaders must also factor costs of more land for future road right-of-ways B次元官网网址渁nd how that simply encourages more of us to continue driving one person per car.B次元官网网址�

The $15-million rail fix B次元官网网址渃ould very well be one of the most cost-effective and important socio-economic decisions we can make for the future of Vancouver Island,B次元官网网址� Bruce said.

He urged citizens, who are the actual owners of the rail line,  to call on government leaders to support the funding nod.

With repairs halting E&N Dayliner service, VIA has arranged chartered-bus service to carry folks between the capital and Courtenay.