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Greater Victoria mayors look for CRD to fund ‘Salish Express’ plan

Challenge of finding money to pay for plan left to staffers

Eight mayors are appealing to the Capital Regional District to provide $70,000 to complete an implementation plan for a commuter train between Victoria-Langford and Esquimalt-Cowichan.

The mayors of Esquimalt, Langford, View Royal, Colwood, Metchosin, Sooke, Sidney and Highlands submitted a joint letter to the CRD on Wednesday, which states the 'Salish Express' could be operational as early as September 2013.

“It is a time sensitive plan that will detail the operating and capital costs for a two-year pilot service, Monday to Friday commuter

train,” the letter states.

CRD staff had no initial ideas as to where the funding might come from, but planned to look further into the matter.

Vancity Credit Union has offered to fund one-third of the total cost of the plan, which is estimated at $98,800.

dpalmer@vicnews.com