Committee to Advise on Cape Breton Rail
Government, business and community leaders are coming together to advise on the future of Cape Breton rail.
Genesee and Wyoming Incorporated, which operates the rail between Truro and Sydney, wants to abandon the track between Sydney and St. Peter's Junction. Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Geoff MacLellan and Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Michel Samson have formed an advisory committee to pursue options that could increase traffic, and improve the business case for a private operator to continue the rail line.
"There simply isn't enough rail traffic right now for the company to keep the line operating, but a lot of business and municipal leaders in Cape Breton are committed to changing this," said Mr. MacLellan. "CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke and other stakeholders say they have business case proposals on how to increase rail traffic that could entice a private operator to keep it going."
The rail company says only about 500 railcars run on the Cape Breton line annually. About 10,000 would be needed to run the line cost-effectively, the company says.
People invited to form the advisory committee are:
- Michael Merritt, CBRM CAO
- Joe O'Connor, Inverness County CAO
- Warren Olsen, Richmond County CAO
- Sandy Hudson, Victoria County CAO
- Maris Freimanis, Port Hawkesbury CAO
- Eileen Oldford, CBRM Mayor's Office
- Ian McNeil, Cape Breton Partnership
- Sean Burke, Denis Lanoe, Cape Breton Rail Users Group
- Paul LaFleche, Brian Gallivan, Transportation Infrastructure Renewal
- Peter Hogan, ACOA
- a senior representative, Transport Canada
- Simon d'Entremont, David Oxner, Economic and Rural Development and Tourism
As well as identifying ways to increase rail traffic, including opportunities that Mr. Clarke and others have linked to the Sydney Port development, the group will also review previous studies on the line, keep Cape Bretoners informed of progress, and work to identify another operator, if needed.
"I know these people will roll up their sleeves and help find realistic solutions to protect our continued economic development," said Mr. Samson. "Cape Breton must have the right transportation links so freight can continue to move on and off the island cost-effectively."
The committee will report jointly to Mr. MacLellan and Mr. Samson. The ministers will update and share findings with other elected officials in Cape Breton.
The advisory committee will submit its interim report in December. After consultations, it will submit a final report in spring 2015.
The first meeting will be held in early September in Sydney. Terms of reference for the Ministers' Rail Advisory Committee are posted at http://novascotia.ca/tran/rail/termsofreference.pdf .