Railways call transportation system unsustainable, want more intermodal traffic

TORONTO, (March 26, 2002) — The Railway Association of Canada called on the federal government to create a new national transportation policy based on intermodalism, adding that the current system–which is largely dependant on truck freight–is unsustainable.

“Intermodal systems, based on the best features of rail and truck, are the only way to go if we are to have a sustainable transportation system in 2020,” RAC president Bill Rowat said in a press release. “It is time for governments to consider rail and intermodal systems as integral to the transportation systems of the future.”

Citing that the U.S. and Europe have already taken on a similar strategies, the RAC is recommending that Transport Canada “stop thinking narrowly in terms of only roads and highways, and to think in terms of what is possible.”

Rowat said the current system shows no vision and Canada is facing major challenges in terms of international trade benefits, global warming challenges, and the threats of terrorism. The intermodal option, according to Rowat, will apparently help solve all that.

“Canada’s future really depends on fundamental decisions being made very soon about our transportation system. Whether we have gridlock and smog, accidents and road rage — or a system where the quality of transportation is recognized as part of our quality of life as Canadians,” Rowat said.