Province kicks off planning for Northern rail service
Ontario is moving closer to restoring regular rail service to the province’s North.
On May 25, Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney announced that the province had released an initial business case for a 13-stop rail line that would link Toronto with either Timmins or Cochrane. There hasn’t been a regular rail connection between the provincial capital and the North since the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission’s Northlander passenger train stopped service in 2012.
“We have listened to people, businesses and Indigenous communities across Northern Ontario who have long awaited the return of train service on the northeast corridor,” said Mulroney. “This important milestone in the planning process brings us another step closer to building a better transportation network in the North.”
Service would be offered based on seasonal travel demands and would range from four to seven days a week. The service would allow passengers coming from the North to travel overnight to maximize their days in the Toronto area and reduce the need for overnight accommodations in Toronto.
The province’s March budget committed $5 million toward planning and design service for the line. The target completion date for the next stage of planning and design work is 2022. A potential in-service date is projected for the mid 2020s.
“We made a commitment to return passenger rail to the North and we are one step closer to fulfilling that commitment,” said Nipissing MPP and Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli. “The planning we’re doing today will help to determine the details, and we are confident that the proposed service route would provide the best value and options to support economic opportunities, the tourism industry and access to healthcare, education and other critical services.”
Driving between Ontario’s North and Toronto is becoming increasingly challenging for people who live in the region, and who wish to access services and businesses in the Greater Golden Horseshoe area. Limited travel alternatives for the businesses and communities in Northern Ontario also limits the potential for economic development in the north.
In October and November of last year, more than 7,200 people shared feedback about transportation opportunities along the rail corridor between Toronto, North Bay, Timmins or Cochrane. Some expressed strong preferences for a rail service as compared to buses.
Ontario Northland currently operates four buses daily between Toronto and North Bay, and one or two buses daily from North Bay to Timmins and Cochrane.
“Today we reached a very important milestone in our plan to reinstate passenger rail,” said Corina Moore, President and CEO of Ontario Northland. “An enhanced transportation network that integrates rail and bus services provides an exciting opportunity for the region to grow and improve. We are proud to be moving this plan forward.”
The rail route chosen for further planning has 13 stops including Toronto (Union Station), Langstaff, Gormley, Washago, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, North Bay, Temagami, Temiskaming Shores, Englehart, Matheson and Timmins or Cochrane. An integrated bus service will connect with passenger rail to provide service to communities between rail stops.