Mayor Wendal Milne is one of eight mayors who sent a joint letter to the Capital Regional District, requesting funding for a commuter train implementation plan.
The plan will explore the feasibility of the Salish Express, a commuter train that would run along the E&N Rail.
“It’s all about trying to look at different options to move people,” Milne said, adding the train, in theory, would alleviate traffic along the Trans-Canada Hwy.
“We see it as an option to help our people from Sooke who are commuting to and from Victoria.”
The train would begin at Nanaimo and pick up passengers on the way to Victoria. From there, the train would shuttle between Victoria and Langford, and return to Nanaimo at day’s end.
Milne stated Sooke residents would drive to a park and ride in Langford, and hop onto the train to Victoria.
The Salish Express would be in addition to the Via Rail Dayliner train service, which was halted indefinitely last year due to poor conditions of the tracks.
Vancity Credit Union will reportedly fund about one third of the plan’s $98,000 cost.