A deal between VIA Rail and Southern Railway to restore passenger rail service to Vancouver Island is in the final stages of completion.
Singh Biln, Southern Railway’s Community Relations Director, says the train service agreement has been signed and now it just needs final approval from the respective boards.
Biln says Southern Railway’s goal is to start upgrading the E&N rail line, focusing first of the section between Victoria and Nanaimo, in the fall of 2014. He says that should enable them to begin service in the spring of 2015.
Biln says their self-propelled rail diesel cars that used to serve Vancouver Island have been extensively upgraded by VIA Rail and are ready to return to service.
