Pressreleases
VIA to Continue Bus Replacement Service Between Victoria and Courtenay Beyond April 8
Wednesday, 06 April 2011
Victoria, BC - Wednesday, April 6, 2011 – An inspection of the tracks and structures between Victoria and Nanaimo was conducted jointly over the last two days by Southern Railway of Vancouver Island (SRVI), the BC Safety Authority, the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and VIA. Following that inspection, SRVI informed VIA of its decision that significant infrastructure improvement will be required before passenger rail service can resume on this route.
VIA will continue to offer a replacement chartered motorcoach service between Victoria and Courtenay. This service has been place since March 21, when SRVI track maintenance work on the rail line first began. VIA had been planning to reinstate partial service on April 8.
SRVI has not indicated when the rail line will be reopened for passenger rail service. VIA will however continue to monitor the situation closely with the rail line owner, the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) and SRVI, with the hope of resuming normal train service as soon as practicable. Updates will be issued as more information becomes available.
SRVI operates and maintains the infrastructure on behalf of, the ICF. For information regarding the track conditions and work plans, contact SRVI directly.
The bus replacing VIA’s northbound train departs Monday thru Saturday from the Victoria train station to Courtenay at 08:00 am, and on Sundays at 10:00 am.
The bus replacing VIA’s southbound train departs Monday thru Saturday from the Courtenay train station to Victoria at 1:15 pm, and on Sundays at 3:15pm.
Please note that space is limited. Customers wishing further information on VIA services or the replacement bus service may check for updates at viarail.ca, or call 1 888-VIA RAIL (842-7245) or (TTY for the hearing-impaired) 1 800 268-9503. Follow VIA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@via_rail.
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