Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Sunday, February 01, 2009
High-speed trains off the beaten track in Canada, Kitchener symposium hears
This is truly a project that we, as Canadians, should be endorsing. It is time to move into the next era of travel and tourism in Canada. Read, learn more and talk to your MP and MPP.
-Rob
TheRecord.com - News - High-speed trains off the beaten track in Canada, Kitchener symposium hears
Jeff Outhit, Record staff
KITCHENER — Fans of fast trains gathered Saturday to talk about the dream they won’t let die.
They were told that to bring fast trains to Canada, their options are:
• Press politicians to make today’s passenger trains a little faster, then build slowly on that.
• Advocate for true high-speed rail, with trains operating at more than 200 kilometres an hour.
Problem is, both approaches have failed in the past.
“The public’s quite apathetic about rail in general,” said railway advocate Paul Langan, who organized the gathering. “We’re trying to educate them, and get the apathy level down.”
Langan’s high-speed rail symposium drew 160 people to regional council chambers on Frederick Street, including students, railway enthusiasts, and representatives from three firms that build fast trains.
High-speed rail is all over Europe but remains a distant dream here. Proponents say it’s smart because it’s faster than driving, competitive with flying, safer than driving and flying, and pollutes less. France's high-speed trains, in operation since 1981, have never had a fatality.
But as the symposium heard Saturday, barriers to high-speed rail in Ontario and Quebec include:
• Construction costs estimated at up to $24 billion.
• Potential opposition from airlines and bus companies.
• Public preference for automobiles.
• Private ownership of the railway infrastructure.
David Collenette, a former federal transport minister, contends it’s feasible to make VIA Rail slightly faster today, moving incrementally towards high-speed rail.
Yet he was unable to achieve these baby steps while in government, due to concerns about cost.
“Ministers of Finance tend not to be pro-rail,” Collenette said.
Peterborough MP Dean Del Mastro pitched a more dramatic option.
He figures governments might be persuaded to endorse a $6-billion system of trains, operating at up to 260 kilometres an hour between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.
Earlier proposals like this have gone nowhere. But Del Mastro points to renewed government support for infrastructure, and to another government study under way.
“I think that the time is now to do it,” Del Mastro said. He sees 2017 as a possible launch date.
Sasha McLeod and Erica Springate, planning students at the University of Waterloo, say high-speed rail makes a lot of sense, for passengers and for the environment.
Springate was suprised to hear it’s been a struggle just to take small steps to faster trains.
“We are behind a lot of the world with our transportation,” she said in an interview. “I don’t know why it takes us so long to move ahead with these things.”
jouthit@therecord.com
-Rob
TheRecord.com - News - High-speed trains off the beaten track in Canada, Kitchener symposium hears
Jeff Outhit, Record staff
KITCHENER — Fans of fast trains gathered Saturday to talk about the dream they won’t let die.
They were told that to bring fast trains to Canada, their options are:
• Press politicians to make today’s passenger trains a little faster, then build slowly on that.
• Advocate for true high-speed rail, with trains operating at more than 200 kilometres an hour.
Problem is, both approaches have failed in the past.
“The public’s quite apathetic about rail in general,” said railway advocate Paul Langan, who organized the gathering. “We’re trying to educate them, and get the apathy level down.”
Langan’s high-speed rail symposium drew 160 people to regional council chambers on Frederick Street, including students, railway enthusiasts, and representatives from three firms that build fast trains.
High-speed rail is all over Europe but remains a distant dream here. Proponents say it’s smart because it’s faster than driving, competitive with flying, safer than driving and flying, and pollutes less. France's high-speed trains, in operation since 1981, have never had a fatality.
But as the symposium heard Saturday, barriers to high-speed rail in Ontario and Quebec include:
• Construction costs estimated at up to $24 billion.
• Potential opposition from airlines and bus companies.
• Public preference for automobiles.
• Private ownership of the railway infrastructure.
David Collenette, a former federal transport minister, contends it’s feasible to make VIA Rail slightly faster today, moving incrementally towards high-speed rail.
Yet he was unable to achieve these baby steps while in government, due to concerns about cost.
“Ministers of Finance tend not to be pro-rail,” Collenette said.
Peterborough MP Dean Del Mastro pitched a more dramatic option.
He figures governments might be persuaded to endorse a $6-billion system of trains, operating at up to 260 kilometres an hour between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.
Earlier proposals like this have gone nowhere. But Del Mastro points to renewed government support for infrastructure, and to another government study under way.
“I think that the time is now to do it,” Del Mastro said. He sees 2017 as a possible launch date.
Sasha McLeod and Erica Springate, planning students at the University of Waterloo, say high-speed rail makes a lot of sense, for passengers and for the environment.
Springate was suprised to hear it’s been a struggle just to take small steps to faster trains.
“We are behind a lot of the world with our transportation,” she said in an interview. “I don’t know why it takes us so long to move ahead with these things.”
jouthit@therecord.com
Monday, June 09, 2008
1994 JEEP Grand Cherokee
4x4, 6 CYL, Auto,Power Group, Tan Leather, New Goodyear Tires, Great Body,Well cared for, No smoke/trail/tows, Few Owners, Maintenance work required only;
Take a look at the video: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=M5l0EQy_qLU [just cut and paste into your browser]
I am moving to Korea to teach. Don't know how long I will be, therefore I must sell my vehicle. MUST SELL.
Serious inquiries only. 519-342-6457. $2700. Will accept best offer (reasonable offers please).
Details:
4X4, 4dr, Automatic, 4x4, 4 LITRE 6 CYLINDER, Cylinders 6, Gas, Alarm, AM/FM Stereo, Air Conditioning (needs recharge), Alloy Wheels, Anti-Theft, Driver Air Bag, Intermittent Wipers, Keyless Entry, Power Mirrors, Power Seats, Power Windows, Rear Defroster, Roof Rack, Tilt Steering, Tinted Glass, Cruise Control, All Equipped, Heated Mirrors, Bucket Seats, Tan Leather Interior, Power Locks, Traction Control, Dual Climate Controls, Premium Audio, Goodyear Tires (P225 75R 15), overhead computer compass, cruise control
Monday, May 12, 2008
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Wow, That Was a Busy Week!
Saturday: Work all day at PC Financial. Last day!
Sunday: Work all day on Teacher's College final portfolio.
Monday: Meet advisor. Present portfolio at 8:00 A.M. Drive to Waterloo. Pack up apartment for the big move out.
Tuesday: Pack and load enormous moving truck. Drive this beast to Windsor, unpack in 2 locations. Drive back to Waterloo. Drop off truck. Sleep sleep sleep.
Wednesday: Clean apartment for next tenant. Sell extra stuff I do not need. Give away $100s of my stuff since I cannot bring it with me to Korea.
Thursday: Sleep. Prepare documents for Korea. Change over Wave tires (yea, summer tires again!).
Friday: Prepare documents for Korea Trip. Drive to KY in torrential downpours!
Saturday: Drive through KY, TN, GA
Sunday: Arrive in Fort Myers Beach! Wow. Beer and gas is so much cheaper here!
Sunday: Work all day on Teacher's College final portfolio.
Monday: Meet advisor. Present portfolio at 8:00 A.M. Drive to Waterloo. Pack up apartment for the big move out.
Tuesday: Pack and load enormous moving truck. Drive this beast to Windsor, unpack in 2 locations. Drive back to Waterloo. Drop off truck. Sleep sleep sleep.
Wednesday: Clean apartment for next tenant. Sell extra stuff I do not need. Give away $100s of my stuff since I cannot bring it with me to Korea.
Thursday: Sleep. Prepare documents for Korea. Change over Wave tires (yea, summer tires again!).
Friday: Prepare documents for Korea Trip. Drive to KY in torrential downpours!
Saturday: Drive through KY, TN, GA
Sunday: Arrive in Fort Myers Beach! Wow. Beer and gas is so much cheaper here!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
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