SASKATOON – A process that will decide the fate of more than 860 kilometres of light density, low-volume prairie branch rail lines is now officially under way.
About 24 grain industry representatives met at a Regina hotel May 10 to begin reviewing which of those lines will be candidates for speedy abandonment.
Detailed analysis
National Transportation Agency member Marian Robson, who is leading the review, said the group will conduct a detailed economic analysis on each line, taking into account all costs from the farmgate to export position.
The preliminary list includes eight lines totalling about 461 km in Saskatchewan, five for 253 km in Manitoba and three for 147 km in Alberta. The NTA is to make recommendations to the federal government by Nov. 1.
The industry advisory committee includes officials from the railways, grain companies, provincial and municipal governments, commodity groups and the trucking industry.
