Category Archives for "Northern Ontario"

Feb 17

Algoma Central Railway – Major Advocacy Program to Stop Termination of Passenger Service

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

 

On January 27, 2014, CN announced the termination of passenger service on this railroad from Sault Saint Marie to Hearst, as the Federal government had ended the subsidy that pays for the passenger service.  As a result CN announced that service would end on March 31, 2014 (subsequently extended to April 29, 2014).

 

A major advocacy program is underway,  led by local municipal governments and our affiliate organization, the Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains (CAPT).  For a complete update on the CAPT activities, click the link here.

 

The advocacy includes conducting three Town Hall meetings – in Sault Ste. Marie, Wawa and Hearst to increase citizen awareness and understanding.  Transport Action’s past president, Harry Gow, will be the guest speaker.  A copy of the Transport Action presentation can be viewed here:  NDR Slides SSM Wawa-Feb 2014

 

 

 

Jan 31

US Rail Passenger Association Urges Canada to Maintain Threatened Services

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

 

 

The National Association of Rail Passengers (NARP) is a US non-government organization advocating for improved passenger rail and rail transit.   They have sent a letter to Canada’s ambassador to the US, Honourable Gary Doer, expressing concern with the announcement that Sault Ste. Marie – Hearst rail service (Algoma Central) will end March 31 and a CBC report this week that Montreal-Halifax VIA Rail Canada service could end in as early as June.

 

The NARP letter can be viewed here.

 

 

Jan 31

All-Party Rural and Northern Ontario Transportation Committee

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

 

On November 28, 2013, Bill Walker, MPP Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, presented a resolution at Queen’s Park to immediately strike a Rural and Northern Transportation  Committee to study transportation needs in these regions.    Transport Action Ontario was very pleased to see that all parties in the Legislature supported this resolution.

 

In January, 2014, Transport Action Ontario wrote to Mr. Walker offering congratulations, describing our organization, and providing some preliminary comments on one of our projects  (North Main Line).  We asked to be given the opportunity to speak to this committee.

 

Our letter can be viewed here:  TAO-letter-Bill Walker

 

Aug 19

Northern and Eastern Ontario Rail Network (NEORN) launched

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

 

The Northern and Eastern Ontario Rail Network (NEORN) is a network composed of rail advocacy groups and stakeholders from across the region dedicated to the promotion of passenger and freight rail service in this area.  It was officially launched at a well-attended media event in North Bay on August 19, 2013.  This network works in close cooperation with Transport Action Ontario.

 

A link to the NEORN website is found here.

 

 

Jun 13

A Wedding Band of Confederation: Restoring Rail Passenger Service to Ontario’s North Shore and Across Canada

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

 

Transport Action’s National Dream Renewed campaign and Thunder Bay Independent MP Bruce Hyer  have released a report on restoring rail passenger service to Ontario’s North Shore and across Canada.    Additional funding was provided by Transport Action Canada’s John McCullum fund.

 

The report was written by Greg Gormick, noted transportation writer and analyst.  The report identifies the numerous challenges facing VIA Rail Canada, and suggested solutions.  The report concludes that the time for a visionary, but practical rail passenger strategy supported by real government leadership is here, on the north shore and across Canada.

 

The full report can be viewed here.