Rail board expresses disappointment in Nanaimo decision – Times Colonist

The Island Rail Foundation board says it is disappointed in last week’s decision by the Regional District of Nanaimo to withdraw about $950,000 in funding to support passenger-rail service on Vancouver Island.

The regional district voted unanimously to withdraw funding from the foundation, with board chairman Bill Veenhof saying there has been five years of waiting for the project to move ahead and confidence has been lost.

The foundation board issued its first comment on the situation with a statement on Monday, saying it recognizes the regional district’s frustration, “but remains optimistic they are close to receiving the federal funding sign-off of the $20.9-million Island Rail infrastructure project.”