Key Messages on the New Rapid Train (previously called High Frequency Rail) System between Toronto and Quebec City
- The Government of Canada is committed to transforming intercity passenger rail. Our flagship transformation is the new Rapid Train System between Toronto and Quebec City.
- The new initiative would create an electrified passenger rail corridor from Toronto to Quebec City. This faster and more frequent service will also significantly improve the reliability of travel in one of our nation’s most densely populated and congested corridors.
- The new dedicated system will dramatically improve reliability by creating dedicated and publicly owned passenger tracks, rather than operating under the current constraints that result from operating on shared track with other railways.
- The initiative will be advanced through a partnership with a private developer partner. By applying a comprehensive view, the public-private partnership will bring the latest world-class passenger rail design, technology and operations expertise, and leverage private sector incentives for innovation to deliver the benefits of passenger rail at the best value to taxpayers.
- This initiative presents an opportunity to meet future demands while transforming passenger rail to a more sustainable, reliable, and accessible way of traveling for future generations.
SUPPLEMENTARY MESSAGES
- The Government has received proposals from three consortia on the Request for Proposals and is currently evaluating them.
- The successful bidder’s solution will not necessarily be the chosen solution for the project. During the Co-Development Phase, the successful bidder and the Government of Canada will work collaboratively to further advance and optimize the proposed solution.
- This work will determine the alignment of the project and will include extensive Indigenous engagement, stakeholder consultation, design work, modelling and the impact assessment process, all of which will inform the optimal solution at the end of the Co-Development Phase.
- During this phase, the Government of Canada will ensure that project requirements with regards to reliability and passenger protections, in the event of service interruptions, are fully met by the private developer partner.