Category Archives for "Intercity Rail and Bus"

Network Southwest Public Forum – St. Thomas, May 27, 2015

By Transport Action Ontario | Events , Intercity Rail and Bus

St. Thomas will host a public forum to present the  Network Southwest Passenger Rail and Bus Service Action Plan, our plan for rapid solutions to Southwestern Ontario’s  transportation challenges.  The keynote presenter is transportation analyst and government policy advisor Greg Gormick.

Wednesday May 27, 2015, 7.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m.

St. Thomas CASO Station, 750 Talbot St.

St. Thomas, ON N5P 1E2

For further details on Network Southwest, consult other recent postings on this website.

SWOTA presentation to SWEA on Network Southwest Plan

By Transport Action Ontario | Intercity Rail and Bus

As readers know, Transport Action Ontario is part of the Southwestern Ontario Transportation Alliance (SWOTA).  In the past, SWOTA has worked closely with the Southwest Economic Alliance (SWEA) to improve public transportation in the region.  SWEA is a coalition of the public sector (municipalities), private sector and civil society (social non-government organizations, universities) founded to advocate for  improved conditions for economic vitality in the region.   With the retirement of its president in November, SWEA is now in the process of re-evaluating its mission and approach.

Improved public transportation remains a focus for SWEA.  SWOTA president Terry Johnson and Transport Action Ontario president Peter Miasek presented a summary of our Network Southwest plan at SWEA’s Board Meeting on May 14.     The presentation can be viewed here:  SWOTA Presentation to SWEA 2015-05-14

The Network Southwest plan and program appear to fit very closely with SWEA’s mission and approach.  SWOTA looks forward to continued cooperation with SWEA on this vital advocacy program.

Transport Action comments on Amtrak Derailment in Philadelphia

By Transport Action Ontario | Intercity Rail and Bus

On May 12, 2015 at 9:20 pm, an Amtrak Washington to New York train with 7 Amfleet cars plus locomotive derailed catastrophically in Philadelphia.  Eight persons were killed, and a large percentage of the 240 passenger plus 5 crew on the train were hospitalized.

Transport Action Past President, David Jeanes, was interviewed on CTV Television regarding this tragedy.  His interview can be viewed here:  http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=612974

Federal Government’s Defeat of VIA Rail Bill is Misguided and Destructive

By Transport Action Ontario | Intercity Rail and Bus , Press Releases and Open Letters

On April 24, 2015, the House of Commons, voting on party lines, defeated private members Bill C-640, known as the VIA Rail Canada Act.    The bill received unanimous consent by the NDP, Liberal and Green parties, Bloc Quebecois and Forces et Democratie, plus two independents. However, the Conservative majority and two former Conservatives who now sit as Independents voted against it.

This Bill drew heavily on the Amtrak working example in the U.S. and a previous bill that another Conservative government introduced in Parliament in 1986.   It would have established VIA’s mandate, rights and obligations in legislation.  Transport Action Ontario has long seen such an act as a vital component in establishing a modern intercity passenger rail service in Canada.  The proposed bill would have met many of the required legislative needs.

Our media release on this matter can be viewed here:    TAO VIA Rail Act Release 2015-04-30

Network Southwest Passenger Rail and Bus Service Action Plan – Report Released

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

We are pleased to announce the release of Network Southwest,  an interurban passenger rail and bus service action plan researched and prepared by Greg Gormick of  On Track Strategies for the Southwestern Ontario Transportation Alliance (SWOTA), a collaborative of non-government organizations including Transport Action Ontario.   Network Southwest is a blueprint for reviving the region’s intercity public transportation system using a passenger rail spine and passenger bus feeders.  It can  rapidly and cost-effectively be implemented.

This plan was unveiled at a public forum in Sarnia on January 31st, 2015. Other public forums have been held in St Marys and Stratford.   Our next public forum is planned for London on April 8.

The full  88 page report was released in St Marys, Ontario on March 18.  Additionally,  a one-page infographic and a one-page summary are available. The report may be downloaded here

More information is available on the SWOTA website here