LOCATION: Southwestern Ontario
ISSUE/SOURCE: Improving Intercity Passenger Rail Service in Southwestern Ontario
DATE: September 2024
SUGGESTED RESPONSES
- The Government of Canada recognizes that Canada’s passenger transportation network remains important for ensuring the quality of life of many Canadians and is committed to transforming the country’s intercity passenger rail service.
- This spring, Transport Canada completed an initial study that analyzed how to improve intercity passenger rail service in Southwestern Ontario.
- Transport Canada is currently reviewing the analysis and determining next steps.
IF PRESSED
- The Government of Canada continues to advance High Frequency Rail initiative and will continue to work with local stakeholders, Indigenous groups and other levels of government to improve regional transportation services.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
- In the Prime Minister’s 2021 mandate letter, he directed the Minister of Transport to work “[…] towards the ultimate goal of extending the high frequency rail project to Southwestern Ontario.”
- In fall 2022, Transport Canada procured the services of external expert advisors, CPCS in association with WSP, to analyze service scenarios to increase rail frequencies, improve on-time performance and shorten travel times. The study included an analysis of demand and ridership growth; infrastructure requirements; Capital and Operating costs; financial performance; and implementation and environmental considerations.
- During the development of the study, local stakeholders and Indigenous communities were engaged to hear their views and perspectives. This included roundtables with the Minister of Transport.