Nanaimo: Rail Excursion Service Feasibility Study
The Nanaimo Port Authorityand SRY Rail Link are collaborating on feasibility study to create a "World Class" Vancouver Island rail excursion service, which could commence in the summer of 2015.
SRY – Southern Railway of British Columbia – is a freight hauler serving the lower mainland and Fraser Valley areas of the province.
The study will analyze and review the railway’s infrastructure and operations and evaluate the marketing requirements to determine the financial viability of creating this tourism opportunity. The port authority hopes the development of a high quality attraction will assist in increasing the cruise ship calls to Nanaimo, and open up new markets for the "top-tier cruise lines."
The study will start next month, with a complete report expected this fall. The port authority says its intention is to have the excursion service in full operation to coincide with the 2015 season.