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Feb 03

Ontario Policy Brief – Passenger Rail in Southern Ontario

By Transport Action Ontario | Intercity Rail and Bus , Latest News

With the upcoming Ontario election, February 27, 2025, Transport Action Ontario has prepared a policy brief on increasing investment in intercity passenger rail in southern Ontario, as extracted from Transport Action Canada’s 2024 report “Beyond HFR: Advancing Passenger Rail Across Canada”.

The one-page brief has been sent to all political parties with members in the Ontario legislature. The brief describes the idea and the ultra-low costs involved.

The brief can be seen below.

David MacLachlan, Chair of Mask-wa Transportation Association Inc., speaking the Agawa Canyon Railroad Station.
Dec 30

Updated Bear Train business case released

By Transport Action Ontario | Northern Ontario

After a ten-year hiatus in passenger service, the Mask-wa Oo-ta-ban (Algoma Bear Train) may be poised to begin weekend-only operation between Sault Ste. Marie and the south end of Oba Lake if federal or provincial funding can be secured to restore service for residents and visitors to First Nations communities, lodges and camps in the region made famous by the Group of Seven artists.

The Mask-wa Transportation Association Inc. (MTA Inc.) and the Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains (CAPT) hosted a special event at the Agawa Canyon Tour Train Station on Thursday, December 12, 2024 to release the results of a study conducted by CPCS, a leading Canadian railway and infrastructure consultancy.

Mask-wa Transportation Association Inc., a non-profit corporation established by Missanabie Cree First Nation was pleased to announce that after intense analysis by CPCS, an updated Bear Train Business Case has been developed. This new business case includes updated financial projections, which will strengthen the feasibility and viability of the initiative.

Once all the necessary funding is secured, and with support from the Agawa Canyon Railroad line owner Watco, the Bear Train would be able to resume a weekend-only passenger service between Sault Ste. Marie and the south end of Oba Lake. MTA Inc. will approach federal and provincial governments in the new year to request ongoing operating funding for this service.

Watco, which took over operation of the 245-mile stretch of tracks running from the Sault to Oba from CN in 2022 and has continued operation of the seasonal Agawa Canyon Tour Train, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Missanabie Cree First Nation at the time regarding partnership opportunities for the Algoma Central Railway.

“This initiative is about more than transportation—it’s about a critical First Nations project, community connections and regional economic development,” said Chair, David MacLachlan. “We’re excited to bring this vision closer to reality with the support of our partners and community.”

To amplify these efforts, the Campaign for Algoma Passenger Trains will be launching a widespread advocacy campaign to rally support for the Bear Train funding. Community backing is essential to making this project a reality, as it promises significant benefits for First Nations communities and all residents along the Algoma Central Railway route.

To continue service north of Oba Lake, to the junction with the CN main line at Oba and up to Hearst, would require capital investment to repair the Oba Lake bridges there, which Transport Action Canada’s Beyond HFR report asks the federal government to consider.

Dec 05

Truck Toll Discount on Highway 407 – Feasibility Study

By Transport Action Ontario | Highways and Bridges , Latest News

Highway 413, a proposed new expressway northwest of Toronto, continues to be a very controversial project with residents. Transport Action Ontario (TAO) has been actively proposing an alternative solution – more higher order transit to move people, and a toll discount for trucks to use the existing toll Highway 407. Our studies, confirmed by others, have shown that the truck toll discount is more cost-effective than building Highway 413.

There is growing interest in utilizing Highway 407, and Ontario Premier Ford has committed to a feasibility study on a buyback of the 407 concession agreement. A motion to support the provincial study, and to include a one year pilot on a truck toll discount, was brought before the City of Vaughan Council on December 3, 2024. TAO made a deputation in support of this study and also urged a prompt one-year pilot study on a truck toll discount in a dedicated truck lane on Highway 407.

The motion was passed at Vaughan Council on December 17, 2024. Our deputation is shown below.

Amtrak Midwest Siemens Venture passenger cars pictured at Joliet.
Nov 20

Support for Detroit-Windsor Passenger Rail Link

By Transport Action Ontario | Intercity Rail and Bus , Latest News

Transport Action Canada and Transport Action Ontario have jointly issued a letter of support to the Federal government for a proposed Amtrak – VIA Rail passenger rail connection between Detroit and Windsor. The proposal involves station and signal upgrades in Detroit, use of the CPKC tunnel under the Detroit River, upgraded track on the Essex Terminal Railway (ETR), a new connection between ETR and VIA tracks and upgrades at Windsor Station, including a joint CBSA/CBP border clearing facility.

We are hopeful that the upcoming federal budget will include funding for the Windsor portion of the project, estimated to cost about $40 million.

Our letter can be viewed below.

Photo: Amtrak Midwest Siemens Venture cars pictured at Joliet by “Sea Cow” via Wikimedia commons

Aug 24

Stop the 413 – Briefing to MPs

By Transport Action Ontario | Highways and Bridges , Latest News

Transport Action Ontario is a core member of the “Stop the 413 Now” alliance of community groups and individuals based in York Region. In August, 2024, we completed an updated “Briefing to MPs” that has been circulated and discussed with numerous federal elected officials.

We are asking the Federal Government to:

  • Protect the environment using tools in its jurisdiction, including redesignation under the recently revised Impact Assessment Act, and carefully scrutinizing permits under the Species at Risk Act, Fisheries Act and Migratory Birds Act.
  • Support better use of Highway 407 for trucks as an investment in supply chain competitiveness and to support smart growth principles.

The briefing can be viewed below.

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