Is Regional Rail the Future of British Columbia?

Passenger rail is often neglected in North America, and TransLink’s West Coast Express is no different. That being said, not every city has the same issues as Vancouver and there are some ambitious plans for a network of regional rail lines throughout the Lower Mainland. But is it realistic?

Special thank you to Lee Haber and Reece Martin from @RMTransit for their help with making this video!

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[TheGreaterDiscussions]

Within the past week, both major political parties in the upcoming BC Provincial Elections announced some kind of regional/commuter rail service for many of the corridors discussed in this video, including a “west coast express expansion” to Chilliwack.

[onthewater]

Here on Vancouver Island, we have a rail corridor that literally passes through every. Single. Major. Population. Centre. Victoria, Langford, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Courtenay. We could have reliable service but our government and the ICF is so dysfunctional that the ICF is LITERALLY SUING ITSELF at this point because of its uselessness.

As a note, it's a pretty sad day when someone you interview about this pronounces the Fraser as "Frajzsier"

[albertkim]

You are one of the coolest local channels here, thank you for all of your work. Would love to see you grow/expand and see how folks can help out.

[ArK]

I miss passenger rail up to Whistler and beyond.

[MVXCollective]

Better is possible! Thanks for this constructive coverage of the regional rail vision. Great video as always :)

[isaacamigofernandezvancouver]

Dude, I have never rode on the West Coast Express before from Vancouver to Coquitlam for 19 years. I also currently ride on the SkyTrain, because SkyTrain feels like my home for me to ride on where I can get around Metro Vancouver all of my life for commuting to work, go in each place I have been there before or not, including churches too! :)

[realisticmgmt]

The Fraser Valley and Sunshine Coast has so much potential for regional rail. The fact that we, as a society, gave up on regional rail in the post-war era, while places in Australia and New Zealand maintained and expanded their networks, is a travesty. Here's hoping these campaign promises are more than just smoke and mirrors.

[askianvan]

You missed that the original rail easements were granted with the understanding that 1/3 of every day (8 hours) was to be reserved for commuter rail in the english model. the rail companies have conveniently forgotten this condition of their charter.

[williamowen]

Can't wait for the Vancouver Island rail video! You can bike along much of the line on protected bike paths if you want to get some adventure footage.

[mr.alexiegaming]

cant believe this channel only have like 2.5k subs, so underrated

[AshgabatKetchumov]

Not from BC but I find it surprising that there is no direct Vancouver-Abbotsford rail connection.

[AlexPotvin]

I think the big problem with South Delta is the work centres aren't even covered by Translink seriously. The mall and industrial parks have been runing their own shuttles from Scott road station for... what, almost a decade now?

[edy]

The West Coast Express DOES NOT SUCK, but it is a long ways behind commuter rail networks like Go Transit and Exo.

[Euniceiscool]

14:34 this plan looks good but it's still lacking something that connects Surrey-Delta to YVR directly, and I think that's really important. For those in these regions, having the most direct route being bottleneck by the nightmare duo of Highway 91 and Highway 99 bridge/tunnel combo isn't that fun. A problem at one causes problems at the other, and we have no alternative.

I always felt that it's kind of ridiculous that to take the skytrain between Surrey and YVR means you need to go all the way downtown first. Not everyone's destination is downtown Vancouver...

[thothfund]

I take the WCE from Mission to Waterfront to work. It's nice to see a lot of thought put into this video, thank you.

[alexanderelliott]

I’d say the status quo on the number one is sitting in traffic for three hours

[kale]

Spoiler alert for anyone who isn't a freak that's out of the house before 8am, yes.

[bryontosoff]

Another solid video, great analysis, appreciate your in depth approach.

[tarfeef]

As a S2S resident, it would be amazing to get a train into the city and thru at least Whistler if not further. It would be so much better for traffic relief, avoiding those closures you mentioned, safety (especially in winter or just bad weather people love to forget how to drive here), emissions, cost (gas is expensive), etc.

[keatonsparksvideoproductions]

Very informative video Arden, nice to see you're still passionate about railway infrastructure.