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COMMENTARY: Don’t let short-sighted politics derail Maritime rail

I have ridden the future – and it runs on rails.

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Just last month, my wife and I returned from Europe, where we travelled by train between Zürich, Geneva, Florence and Milan – and rode local trams in each city. Gliding through the Alps or across the Italian lakes, then stepping onto a tram – riding smoothly, quietly, and exhaust-free on dedicated rails – stopping only for traffic lights. And in every one of those cities, trains and/or trams connect directly to the international airport.

Canadian cities that have already cracked the code

Years ago, I used to commute to Toronto from Oakville on the GO train – 37 minutes, no unscheduled stops. On several occasions more recently, I have taken the UP Express from Pearson airport to the waterfront – 25 minutes, no cabs. And over the years, I’ve also ridden light rail and trams in many Canadian cities. Vancouver’s Canada Line light rail whisks you from YVR airport to downtown in 26 minutes – a smooth, frequent ride that has........

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