Posted on 4/29/2015 by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
The former rail line between Coldstream and Kelowna could one day be the site for a light rapid transit line. Vernon mayor Akbal Mund says a public trail is the short term plan for the corridor, but he says the city of Kelowna sees it as a future way to get more cars off Highway 97, particularly those heading to UBC-Okanagan. "They've got the (university), which is growing immensely, and they can transfer all those students out there without having all those cars on the road. That will decrease the carbon foot print right away. That's what I see in the long term." Mund also says it would be great for Greater Vernon residents wanting an alternate way to get to the airport or Kelowna. "You know find a place to park, get on the train, get to the airport, get to Kelowna, take it back all the way. I know that's sort of Kelowna's little baby, they see it taking a lot of traffic off the road." Mund says the plan could be 30 to 40 years away though. With Lake Country now on board, local governments are moving forward to buy the former line from C-N for 22 million dollars. The deal is expected to be signed June 1. Vernon councillor Catherine Lord says the proposed trail will bring people to the area. "I've biked around Wood Lake and it was scary at one point. Now you're going to be able to follow that railway line. I think your going to find some industries growing up along the way," Lord tells Kiss FM. The Regional District of North Okanagan is providing 1.9 million dollars towards the purchase of the corridor, in partnership with Kelowna, Lake Country and the BC government.
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