Recent developments are a mixed bag for travellers The American industrialist and business magnate Henry Ford once responded “You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do” when asked about his professional achievements. It's a fitting analogy to describe how Parliament Hill and Queen's Park continue to sputter when attempting to run, … Continue reading Will transportation woes ever be fixed in Canada and Ontario?
Where’s our train?
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
Smoke and mirrors checking the choo-choo tracks
There was a lot of hype and publicity surrounding Ontario Northland's most recent test train to measure transit times between North Bay and Toronto. For the first time in nine years, a passenger train operated on this route with the purpose of collecting data to support the ONR's latest business case for reintroducing passenger rail … Continue reading Smoke and mirrors checking the choo-choo tracks
Double standards in the deployment and delivery of train service
Northerners are once again finding themselves taking a back seat to the transportation interests and concerns of politicians in Southern Ontario. The Ministry of Transportation very recently unveiled a pilot project for GO Train service between Toronto and London — by way of Kitchener, Stratford and St Mary's. The trial runs are expected to cost … Continue reading Double standards in the deployment and delivery of train service
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
Passenger rail policies: procrastination over progress
[ North Bay ONR Station ] The provincial government unveiled a fancy new proposal titled Connecting the North: A draft transportation plan for Northern Ontario. The MTO has indicated they are exploring options for passenger rail services between Toronto, North Bay, Timmins and Cochrane. However, the proposal fails to answer one obvious question: When exactly … Continue reading Passenger rail policies: procrastination over progress
So what’s taking so long to restore the Northlander?
[ Inside the Northlander ] The Ministry of Transportation is seeking feedback from Northerners to "better understand the unique transportation needs of people and businesses" situated along the Toronto, North Bay and Cochrane rail corridor to "help develop a plan to improve the transportation system" in the region. Remind me again... didn't Ontario Northland just … Continue reading So what’s taking so long to restore the Northlander?
