If you could look into a crystal ball to see into the future, what questions would you want answered relative to how people get from A to B in Northern Ontario? Would you ask what makes for an efficient, affordable and well-utilized transportation system that meets the needs of ordinary travelers? How about finding out … Continue reading Resolving problems with northern transportation requires real conversations
Sudbury
Politicians, pencil-pushers turning a blind eye to travel difficulties in the North
Poor public transit policies put passengers at risk Pop quiz: What do matchmaking websites, slot machines and Canadian passenger trains have in common? There’s an element of chance any time you go to use one. The deck is seriously stacked against those who rely on public transportation to get around Northern Ontario — especially when … Continue reading Politicians, pencil-pushers turning a blind eye to travel difficulties in the North
On the tracks of success … or a stalemate
[ New Liskeard Station platform ] Will the Government of Ontario restore the Northlander passenger train by the mid 2020's — no strings attached? Have the Feds given VIA Rail sufficient resources to provide a consistent standard of service in Northern Ontario? It depends who you ask. Both Ontario Northland and VIA have recently made … Continue reading On the tracks of success … or a stalemate
Political tango on passenger rail
Province's plan remains short on critical details Former U.S. president Ronald Reagan once said: “If politics were a musical, it would be Promises, Promises”. When you consider how often the Ford government has pledged to bring back the Northlander passenger train, it's kind of astounding a Broadway musical marking its imminent return to service hasn’t … Continue reading Political tango on passenger rail
Hollowed out rail services hamper northern travelers
[ White River VIA Station ] Can the federal government, Transport Canada and VIA Rail make travel through Northern Ontario anymore complicated? I'm asking for a friend, because public transportation in this region clearly wasn't designed for ordinary people needing to get from point A to point B. To begin with, VIA doesn't connect any … Continue reading Hollowed out rail services hamper northern travelers
The politics and precarious nature of travel in the North
The familiar sound of a passenger train can once again be heard in areas of Northern Ontario that are served by VIA Rail Canada. The Crown corporation officially restored passenger rail services to pre-pandemic levels after more than two years of on again, off again, limited or indefinitely suspended train schedules. Life appears to have … Continue reading The politics and precarious nature of travel in the North
The return of passenger rail is moving forward … at a snail’s pace
[ Englehart ONR Station ] If a political promise is made in Northern Ontario, but there's nobody around to see it through, does it still mean we get a passenger train back? The provincial government made an announcement regarding the return of passenger rail service between Timmins, North Bay and Toronto. On the surface, this … Continue reading The return of passenger rail is moving forward … at a snail’s pace
Northern Ontario : More isolated than ever
An open letter to the management and customer relations department of VIA Rail Canada I wanted to provide some feedback regarding the negative impacts I have felt as a result of VIA's decision to reduce passenger train service in Northern Ontario and the need to restore it immediately. Over the last year and half, travellers … Continue reading Northern Ontario : More isolated than ever
Le Nord de l’Ontario : plus isolé que jamais
Une lettre ouverte à l'équipe de gestion et du service à la clientèle de VIA Rail CanadaJe vous fais parvenir mes commentaires entourant l’absence de certaines fréquences de vos trains dans le Nord de l’Ontario et du besoin de les remettre en service immédiatement. Au cours de la dernière année et demie, des voyageurs comme … Continue reading Le Nord de l’Ontario : plus isolé que jamais
Missing the mark on the North’s passenger rail plan
[ Former Porquis Junction ONR Shelter ] The Ministry of Transportation and Ontario Northland have finally unveiled an Initial Business Case for passenger rail in Northeastern Ontario ... and it's about time the public was provided with an update. It only took a mere three years into the current government's term (and a freedom of … Continue reading Missing the mark on the North’s passenger rail plan
