Category Archives for "Intercity Rail and Bus"

May 14

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

 

 

Apr 30

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

 

 

Mar 18

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

 

 

 

 

Jan 29

Support for Algoma Central Railway Passenger Service

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

 

 

The one year extension of federal government funding for the Algoma Central Railway Passenger Service from Sault Ste. Marie to Hearst will end in March, 2015.  Transport Action Ontario has sent a letter to Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt urging continued support for this service.   The letter summarizes the excellent progress that has been achieved over the past year.

 

The letter can be viewed here:  TAO-letter-Raitt re ACR-2015-01-29

 

 

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