Category Archives for "Intercity Rail and Bus"

ONR-ONTC Closure and Divestiture

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

With the recent closure of the Northlander passenger rail service, and divestiture announcement of Ontario Northland Transportation Commission, Dr. Barry Wellar undertook research on this matter.  Dr. Wellar is Distinguished Research Fellow of Transport Action Canada.  He is principal of Wellar Consulting Ltd.

Dr. Wellar’s research was conducted in early 2013.  It involved sending inquiries to numerous arms of the Ontario government.  His final report found that no evidence was provided or identified to establish that methodologically sound research played a preeminent or partial role in the termination or divestment decisions.

The final report is titled “An Opinion as to the Extent to which the Decisions by Cabinet to Terminate The Northlander and Divest the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission are Based upon, Supported by, Justified by or are Otherwise Derived from Methodologically Sound Research”.  It can be viewed here.

Letter to Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Innovation

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

Transport Action Ontario wrote a letter to the Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Innovation stating that we believe that Ontario is facing a serious mobility crisis that seriously undermines private and public initiatives aimed at sustaining and growing Ontario’s industrial base.   We urged the Ministry and the Ontario Jobs and Prosperity Council to work with other provincial ministries and other levels of government to focus on our province’s mobility crisis, especially in the areas of public transportation.

The letter can be viewed here:  TAO-DuguidLtr2012-11

Proposed Multimodal Goods Movement Strategy for Ontario

By Transport Action Ontario | Intercity Rail and Bus

In July, 2012, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation released a consultation document on a proposed multimodal goods movement strategy for Ontario.  It provided the context for action on goods movement in Ontario, a summary of the various transportation modes,  system-wide strengths and challenges, and proposed 20 year vision and objectives.   It posed several questions for respondents to answer.

Transport Action Ontario submitted comments to the Ministry in September, 2012, focussing largely on the opportunities for rail.  The comments can be read here:

TAO-MultimodalGoodsMovementResponse 2012-09

Provincial Election: Public Meeting on Transportation

By Transport Action Ontario | Aviation , Highways and Bridges , Intercity Rail and Bus , Urban Transit

With the Ontario provincial election coming up soon, Transport Action Ontario organized a public meeting at Toronto Metro Hall on `Transportation Policy: A Dialogue with Voters`.  Panelists were Cheri DiNovo (NDP), Frank De Jong (Green Party) and Frank Klees (PC).  A summary of the meeting proceedings is now available.

Summary of meeting proceedings

Advance list of Questions for the meeting

National Dream Renewed project

By Transport Action Ontario | Intercity Rail and Bus

The future of Canada’s national passenger rail system is in doubt.  Starved of resources since its inception, VIA Rail services were cut in 2012 and more devastating cuts are to come.

In response to these irresponsible and reckless decisions, Transport Action Canada and its five regional affiliates have launched their nationwide town hall meetings project, the National Dream Renewed.  For further information, consult the website:  http://nationaldreamrenewed.ca/.

To be conducted by Toronto transportation writer and policy advisor Greg Gormick, the National Dream Renewed will inform the public of the vast untapped economic, social and environmental potential of Canada’s national rail passenger service. Canadians will be asked for their views on how VIA can be reformed to sustainably provide a high-quality, cost-effective service similar to that provided in every other industrialized nation. The goal is to produce a blueprint for VIA’s revival and expansion based on the input of Canadians from Atlantic to Pacific to Hudson Bay.

For the third time during its 35-year life, VIA is being forced to make major cuts to what many consider to be already a minimal rail passenger system. A federal government cut of $41 million in VIA operating funds over the next three years has already forced the discontinuance of several VIA trains. More cuts are coming and Canadians will be left with less sustainable, reliable and enjoyable transportation options.