WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia has demonstrated leadership in making a significant difference in reducing our carbon foot print; AND WHEREAS the majority of local community consumer goods are transported and delivered by highway tractor trailer units; AND WHEREAS the Province of BC has a significant interconnected railway infrastructure operated primarily by two national freight companies: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities lobby the provincial government, CN Rail and CP Rail to design and develop a community rail freight delivery system that would encourage the use of long-haul rail.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure While a large proportion of B.C. communities are located in close proximity to CN or CP rail lines, it would be challenging for the railways to provide a community rail freight delivery system using only rail infrastructure given the well-developed highway system in B.C. Rail is most efficient in providing intermediatelong distance hauling of bulk commodities, whereas truck hauling is most efficient for smaller distances, and with door-to-door and small shipment capability. Inland ports and container facilities are the optimal means to facilitate the best use of rail and truck. CN recently opened a 20m transload and intermodal rail terminal in Prince George, and several local governments and private interests are determining the feasibility of inland port development to facilitate rail-truck movements.