Re: "Politicians seek way to look at rail service," Aug. 10.
The Salish Express would be a fitting name for a regional rail service, and there is a precedent for such a service.
The Ottawa-Carleton region in Ontario already has such a rail service called the O-Train and its transit department - OC Transpo - is planning to expand this important transit corridor.
How might the Greater Victoria region structure its system to incorporate a rail corridor and respond to the concerns such as those expressed recently by eight mayors?
Perhaps the province can vest authority to manage the regional transit system in a professional transit division within the Capital Regional District to be advised by a transportation commission.
The CRD could then look at the overall transit needs of the region and perhaps beyond to regional commuter rail beyond the Malahat.
Rather than have multiple conflicting studies and many interested parties, often in conflict, circling around the future of regional transit, there would be only one body planning and implementing future development in consultation with stakeholders.
If the Ottawa-Carleton region can do this, why not Greater Victoria?
John Olson
Victoria
