This quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was what motivated me to establish All Aboard Northern Ontario (AANO), a grassroots advocacy group which has set out to produce a viable public passenger transportation solution for the region. When I volunteered to launch this project 18 months ago, I wanted to demonstrate to our elected officials that … Continue reading “A goal without a plan is just a wish…”
Archives – All Aboard Northern Ontario
Rail union fumbles golden opportunity to help fight VIA Rail’s ongoing deterioration
The All Aboard Northern Ontario citizens’ rail action committee is severely disappointed by Unifor National Council 4000’s planned nationwide protests of two unrelated VIA Rail Canada issues, which are scheduled for tomorrow morning (December 12). “They should have just highlighted VIA’s intention to scrap Canadian jobs by contracting out a portion of their on-board services … Continue reading Rail union fumbles golden opportunity to help fight VIA Rail’s ongoing deterioration
Citizen rail advocates see CN takeover of SW Ontario line as trouble for VIA
As part of their observance of National Railway Day on November 7, the All Aboard St. Marys and All Aboard Northern Ontario citizens’ rail action committees are advising politicians to closely watch Thursday’s CN take-back of the Kitchener-London section of the Guelph Subdivision used by four of VIARail Canada’s Southwestern Ontario trains. “We’d like to … Continue reading Citizen rail advocates see CN takeover of SW Ontario line as trouble for VIA
VIA Rail Canada
Forty years ago this Monday (October 29), VIA Rail Canada was born as an operating railway when it assumed the operation of The Canadian, the Super Continental and the other remaining Western Canadian passenger trains from Canadian Pacific (CP) and Canadian National (CN). The reality is the high hopes of the Canadian public and the … Continue reading VIA Rail Canada
The VIA Rail Lottery … How late will your train arrive today?
Westbound Arrivals (Train #1) CAPREOL STATION ---> Click to expand HORNEPAYNE STATION ---> Click to expand SIOUX LOOKOUT STATION ---> Click to expand Eastbound Arrivals (Train #2) SIOUX LOOKOUT STATION ---> Click to expand HORNEPAYNE STATION ---> Click to expand … Continue reading The VIA Rail Lottery … How late will your train arrive today?
VIA Rail’s once-proud Canadian: Death by a thousand CN blows?
Despite twice lengthening its already-excessive trip length and agreeing to cut out one of its three weekly transcontinental runs next summer, VIA Rail Canada’s Canadian is routinely running hours late all across Canada due to slipshod performance by Canadian National (CN). “CN’s inconsiderate handling and lack of passenger priority is destroying the Canadian public’s flagship … Continue reading VIA Rail’s once-proud Canadian: Death by a thousand CN blows?
NortheastLynx Update
August meeting with the Minister of Finance and Nipissing MPP, Vic Fedeli (left), All Aboard Northern Ontario Founder, Éric Boutilier (centre), and On Track Strategies Consultant, Greg Gormick (right) Dear Mayor George Lefebvre, My colleague, Éric Boutilier of All Aboard Northern Ontario, has asked me to provide you and your colleagues with an update on … Continue reading NortheastLynx Update
St. Marys citizens’ rail committee to Premier-Designate Ford: We’re watching you closely
ST. MARYS, ONTARIO – The election of Doug Ford’s majority Progressive Conservative (PC) government on June 7 is viewed as both good and bad news by the All Aboard St. Marys citizens’ rail action committee. “The good news is there is a handful of MPPs in this government who have shown concern – if not … Continue reading St. Marys citizens’ rail committee to Premier-Designate Ford: We’re watching you closely
More smoke, mirrors and studies for Canadian rail passengers in Budget 2018
For the third straight year, the federal Liberals have produced nothing but unsubstantiated promises and $5 million more for studies while VIA Rail Canada continues to disintegrate. “Unfortunately, the VIA tidbits in Budget 2018 are exactly what we’ve come to expect from this government,” says Robert Wightman, president of the citizens’ advocacy group, All Aboard … Continue reading More smoke, mirrors and studies for Canadian rail passengers in Budget 2018
Rail advocates applaud ONTC bus expansion
NORTH BAY, Ontario – Two Ontario rail advocacy groups say the recent expansion of Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) bus service is not only the first sign of hope for northern public transportation users in many years, but it also paves the way to better rail service in the future. “Any improvement of our system … Continue reading Rail advocates applaud ONTC bus expansion
Northlander Revival
FOR RELEASE: October 26, 2017 Five years after the provincial government canned the Northlander passenger train without so much as a single public hearing, is there any point in launching a new campaign to revive it? A more appropriate question might be whether Ontarians are all entitled to transportation that is as safe, reliable, comfortable … Continue reading Northlander Revival
All Aboard Northern Ontario announces launch of new citizens’ rail passenger advocacy campaign
NORTH BAY, ONTARIO – All Aboard Northern Ontario, a new grassroots advocacy group, today launched its campaign for the restoration of the Northlander passenger train and improvements to other rail and intercity bus services across Northeastern Ontario. “The time for a determined and well-researched campaign to revive the Northlander is now,” says Éric Boutilier, founder … Continue reading All Aboard Northern Ontario announces launch of new citizens’ rail passenger advocacy campaign
Northern Tracks Blog 