Category Archives for "Intercity Rail and Bus"

High Speed Rail in Ontario – Opposition, not NIMBYism

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

Transport Action Ontario (TAO) recently became aware of a student project at Western University from March, 2020 that addressed NIMBYism. One of the case studies was “High Speed Rail in Ontario and the 2014-2018 Opposition Movement”. The study alleged that groups like TAO and InterCity Rail were engaged in NIMBYism.

We have taken the opportunity to write back to the university, indicating we are strongly pro-rail and that our opposition was due to the total absence of technical, financial and suitability evidence. Our concerns were:

• Costs understated
• Ridership overstated
• Road closure social and economic issues not considered
• Urban tunneling not considered
• Travel time improvements overstated
• No preliminary studies
• Scope exclusion, in that alternatives like High Performance Rail not considered
• Hidden energy costs

We concluded by offering further engagement and dialogue. Our letter can be viewed below:

Save the Orangeville-Brampton Railway(OBRY)!

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

In a distressing parallel to the Barrie-Collingwood Railway (BCRY) (see earlier post, Nov. 5, 2020), a second short line railway in the Greater Golden Horseshoe is slated for closure. The Orangeville-Brampton Railway (OBRY) runs from Mississauga through Brampton to Orangeville.

Closure of such short lines is extremely concerning for numerous reasons. Transport Action Ontario has written to the Minister of Transportation and Metrolinx recommending protecting these corridors. Our letter can be viewed below:

Critique of Ontario’s draft transportation plan for Northern Ontario

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

As readers know, Ontario released a draft transportation plan for Northern Ontario in December, 2020, and Transport Action Ontario prepared a response (see posting December 24, 2020). In view of likely federal interest in elements of jurisdiction and financing, we also sent comments on this draft plan to key federal ministers. Our letter can be viewed below:

Review of MTO draft transportation plan for Northern Ontario

By Transport Action Ontario | Intercity Rail and Bus , Major Reports , Northern Ontario

In December, 2020, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation released a draft transportation plan for Northern Ontario. Transport Action Ontario has reviewed the draft plan in detail. We find it is too highway-centric and needs more emphasis on passenger and freight rail. Our detailed review is given below.

Improving Passenger Rail in Southwestern Ontario – Learnings from two Conferences

By Transport Action Ontario | Intercity Rail and Bus , Southwestern Ontario

Representatives of Transport Action Ontario recently attended conferences put on by the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) and by the Toronto Region Board of Trade (TRBOT). Both had content relevant to improving passenger rail in Southwestern Ontario in the areas of technology, politics, projects and cost control.

Our summary can be viewed here.