WHITE ROCK — Two days after residents in White Rock and the surrounding area turned up in the hundreds to vent their frustrations about the rail line, Transport Canada has allowed rail operator BNSF to decrease whistling during the night.
In a missive sent by Transport Canada inspector Dennis Maskall Wednesday, BNSF was ordered to issue repetitive succession of horn blasts between the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. However, outside of those hours train drivers will be able to continue with “normal BNSF whistling protocol as per their current timetable and bulletins,†which had previously been to whistle when there was a danger on the track.
The order came after more than 300 concerned residents turned up to the public information session Monday to discuss rail issues, including the increase of nightly train whistles in recent weeks.
Gus Melona of BNSF said the rail company would be abiding by the latest order and referred all other questions to Transport Canada.
Prior to the recent attention by Transport Canada on the railway tracks, train operators would occasionally blow their whistles and always when someone or something was obstructing the tracks.
Coun. Grant Meyer, head of the city’s rail safety task force, was happy to see what is being interpreted as permission by Transport Canada for conductors to exercise more discretion when it came to night-time whistling.
“It’s good news and I think that it had to do with the amount of people calling and emailing,†he said. “I’m sure they heard the amount of people that came out to the meeting and … I think most people understand that if there’s someone running across the tracks they have to blow the whistle.â€
Meyer said the city continues to work with BNSF and Transport Canada to find more permanent solutions to the city and residents’ issues with the rail line.