Whitehorse Star, 5 May 2003
White Pass works on its Yukon Route
by By Jason Small Star Reporter
A Whitehorse-based business is setting up shop in the White Pass building on
First Avenue under the rail company’s banner.
Gary Danielson, executive vice-president of White Pass and Yukon Route,
confirmed from his Skagway office this morning the new office that was
announced on Friday in the government-owned building will be staffed by
Yukon-Alaska Tourist Tours.
The tour company, which is operated by the owners of Pioneer RV Park, is
partnered with White Pass to put together and to sell bus trips and train tickets.
Danielson said the problem arose when Holland-America cut out its bus trips
between Skagway, the Canadian border at Fraser, B.C., and Whitehorse.
With those trips eliminated, White Pass contacted a number of people about
filling the void. Pioneer “stepped up to the plate,” said Danielson.
According, to Danielson, Yukon-Alaska will put a couple staff in the office.
It will also have three drivers running buses down to Skagway.
The return of White Pass to the building it’s named after was announced
Friday morning by Danielson, Premier Dennis Fentie and Tourism and Culture Minister
Elaine Taylor while the trio stood in front of the building.
At that time, Danielson said he expected staff to start in the new office in about a week.
“(This is) putting the Yukon back in our name again,” Danielson said during
Friday’s announcement.
During the news conference, he also said White Pass needs new rail cars built and it hopes to see that happen in Whitehorse.
White Pass is currently looking for proposals to build the eight, full-size passenger cars it requires for its train trips.
Danielson said the company sent out letters looking for proposals to those who had shown an interest in the past in manufacturing the cars. As well, notices were sent out so that contractors in the Yukon would be aware of what White Pass was doing.
The company also sent letters to some businesses in B.C., Seattle and Pittsburgh.
However, Danielson would like to see the cars built in Whitehorse, which would be the closest to the company’s headquarters.
“That would be a wonderful thing,” said Danielson.
The executive said if the cars were built in Whitehorse it would allow White
Pass to take a hands-on role in the construction.
Once it is handed out, the contract to build the cars will probably be worth
$2 million. Plus, it could lead to another order of more cars. He said it could put 15 people to work.
Danielson said the bidding process could begin by July 30.
He said there are manufacturers in Whitehorse who are interested and at least
one has already submitted a proposal.
The new cars will be added to White Pass’ current stable of 61. The rail cars would be built this fall and ready for use next summer.
“We find the market’s growing and we need that additional capacity.”
On Friday, White Pass also announced it has inked a deal with a new water bottling company, Arctic Waters, to produce 400,000 bottles. The bottles, which will have distinctive White Pass train designs on them, will be handed out on the trains and sold in packages.
Danielson said Arctic Waters will eventually make its own bottles, but for now they must be bought from Outside.
Part of Friday’s ceremony included the signing of a letter between Fentie and Danielson that stated the government and the rail company will work together
on a number of issues including:
• the office;
• allowing the waterfront trolley to go as far as White Pass’ Utah yard near McRae;
• connecting the White Pass building at Fraser to electrical power;
• providing access to a port in Skagway, which White Pass owns, for Yukon industry;
• working on tourism promotion.
Fentie said this deal with White Pass was something his government began working on within four days of being elected. However, the discussion between
White Pass and the Yukon government did not begin with Fentie’s Yukon Party
according to Liberal Leader Pat Duncan.
According to the former premier, her Energy, Mines and Resources minister Scott Kent talked with White Pass on a number of occasions.
Kent confirmed he had “preliminary” discussions with White Pass.
However, Danielson pointed out that the talks with the Liberal government went nowhere.
“I had talked to the previous government but we just (were) never able to get anything moving.”
For trains to start arriving at the old station in downtown Whitehorse again, Danielson said there needs to be a market for it and money to do it.
“To be very truthful, it costs about $10 million US to restore the roadbed and track from Carcross to Whitehorse. Once that happens, we’d have to find a
market for it.”
For now, White Pass is working at getting the train as far Carcross.
“We’re working right now on getting the market as far as Carcross and then bringing them in by motorcoach from Carcross to Whitehorse. And we’re working with tour companies right now in that regard.”
White Pass has spent $2 million working on the track between Carcross and Bennett to allow that to happen.
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