I have been following the possibility of a transportation system to replace the light rail system to Victoria with interest.
One possibility I have not seen is adaptation of the “old” street car system which used city streets alongside the cars. The system utilized a track system down streets shared by electric street cars and automobiles. It was both clean and economical.
While the “old system” utilized power pole and wires to power electric trams, a present possibility could employ clean battery power for the trams. (Another difference is that modern trams utilize rubber capped tires, thus eliminating the steel on steel noise!) Such a system could be expanded to bypass the Malahat!
One street car could run workers from Langford to the rail yards (or another site) with a minimum of stops. The tracks could there be doubled for a “passing lane” and the tram would then continue on new rails across either the Johnson Street or Point Ellis Bridges and along Store/Wharf Street as far as the Tourist Bureau. The operator would then lock his station, walk to the other end of the tram and return the tram to the rail yard where it would pass the inbound tram before proceeding back to the Langford terminus. More trams could be added as needed.
Once the morning rush was over, the system would operate as a tourist attraction, taking tourists and casual workers until the evening rush began. I’m sure that such a rail system would attract many tourists and others not in possession of a commuter ticket.
Bob Gartshore
Oak Bay
