High Speed Rail in Ontario – Opposition, not NIMBYism

By Transport Action Ontario | Intercity Rail and Bus

Jan 23

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:

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