I’m continually puzzled by the lack of initiative to support college and university students, as well as those who work in the Okanagan 365 days a year. Consistent indulgent and illogical moves, such as the recent rail trail, show that municipal governments in the Okanagan have zero drive to improve infrastructure, and in turn, economy.
Instead, municipal governments fritter away money as if the Okanagan is the land of milk and honey, when in truth, most of the population lives off part-time jobs, while university graduates are forced to move somewhere in Canada or even abroad to find solid work.
I would rather use a more demure terminology to describe the rail trail in an area with a growing university and extensive poverty, but I can’t describe it as any more than socially acceptable insanity, fuelled by the bored and privileged.
I can only equate supporting a rail trail as opposed to having a serious discussion on fixing the rail and connecting Vernon to Kelowna, to building an elaborate theme park in Detroit. In no way will the rail trail actually improve economics and careers for college graduates and those still in the workforce, but instead, increase profits for retail businesses.
The rail trail, in theory, essentially supports an environment where the working poor remain the working poor all for the sake of tourism. Although I have nothing against tourism, it is obvious the word has become synonymous with ignoring larger social and infrastructure issues that plague a growing and impoverished population.
There is a sort of paradisiacal fantasy that stems with the whole rail trail initiative.
It’s one that sees gaggles of international tourists briskly walking or cycling down a scenic trail as if it were the Camino de Santiago, their uniquely British Columbian spiritual experience hampered by various over-priced coffee-houses and art shops selling equally over-priced trinkets. It will all prove we live a Bohemian lifestyle full of yoga and soy lattes, and we have so much money to burn that we can invest in something recreational with no promise of a return profit.
At best, the rail trail will be lipstick on the pig. Realistically, it will probably be occupied by the few people who prepare for the Ironman triathlon every year. At worst, it will be an area of drug deals, trash and dog excrement.
There are two excuses I often hear for the lack of a commuter train proposal: price and population.
A train is an investment which will eventually pay for itself with the rising student population, as well as the rising population of both cities as a whole. As well, those tourists — either domestic or international — will have an excellent scenic tour, especially if the rail eventually extends all the way to Penticton.
My support for a daily commuter train between Kelowna and Vernon is not a matter of fantastical opinion.
Back in 2013, a media outlet took a poll of 2,157 people and found that 73.7 per cent favoured the idea of a commuter train.
On a national level, the recent sell-out of Via Rail youth passes for Canada’s 150th birthday, shows a definite, perhaps largely unspoken, zeal for rail transportation.
On an international scale, India has recently partnered with China in hopes of improving and expanding India’s rail system. Not to mention Europe’s consistent success with commuter trains. At a micro and macro level, there seems to be a consensus that train transport is pertinent to economic growth and stability. As well, less motor vehicle emissions is a positive variable born out of a dedication to 21st century (often high speed) commuter trains.
With the continuous expansion of the University of B.C. and Okanagan College, unfortunately paralleled to the rise of housing costs, it’s without question that Vernon — where the rent is lower — could operate as a bedroom community for UBC students.
Residents in Kelowna and Vernon would have the option to work, live, and study in either city without having to worry about road conditions and the expense of a car. Both economies would largely benefit, and most importantly, so would the residents.
Jocelyn Robb
Vernon