Improving Inter-Urban Passenger Rail in
Ontario
SWEA Regional Passenger Transportation Summit
Peter Miasek
Transport Action Ontario
November 14, 2013
www.transport-action.ca/ontario
Symbolism vs. Reality
• National Railway Day, Nov 7 - declared in 2010 to commemorate
driving of the last spike for the CPR in 1885
• New $10 bill – shows the Canadian that links the country
• Reality – Minister Raitt statement on National Railway Day: “New
economic opportunities still require rail to link Canadian goods to
waiting markets”. Silent on Passenger Rail!!
• Reality on the ground – Derailments, cuts to VIA, branch line
abandonments
Citizen Advocacy for Improved Passenger Rail
• Transport Action
– Nation-wide NGO advocating for sustainable transportation since 1976
– 5 regional affiliates, including Transport Action Ontario
– Strong technical strength. Website, reports, newsletters
• Local NGO’s
– e.g. RAIL (Lambton Co.), SaveVIA (St Mary’s), NEORN (N. Ontario)
– Awareness-building, petitions, chair-ins, municipal resolutions
– Meetings with elected officials and VIA. Pilot project idea
• Citizen advocacy can be powerful if messages are realistic and
consistent
• “Citizen’s Guide to Sustainable Transportation Advocacy”
– On Transport Action Ontario website
Recent Examples of Rail Advocacy by Transport Action
• Presentation to Standing Committee on General Government,
Queen’s Park.
– “Increasing the Provincial Role in Intercity Passenger Rail and Bus
Transportation” April 10, 2013
• Development of Practical Short-Term Visions:
– “A Wedding Band of Confederation: Restoring Rail Passenger Service
to Ontario’s North Shore and Across Canada” June 3, 2013
– “Revitalizing New Brunswick’s Rail Sector” November 6, 2013
Summary of “Increasing Provincial Role in Passenger
Rail and Bus Transportation”
• VIA cutbacks in 2012 just the latest of a long trend
• Bus service has also deteriorated.
• Numerous factors are increasing the need for more rail:
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Urban area congestion
Corporate travel preferences
USA rail investment
Cost of auto ownership
Aging demographics
Environmental
• “National Dream Renewed” campaign – 13 town hall meetings
across Ontario and Maritimes in 2012 – 2013.
Ontario Passenger Rail Network in 1962
Ontario Passenger Rail Network in 2012
Summary of “Increasing Provincial Role in Passenger
Rail and Bus Transportation” (cont’d)
• What the province can do:
– Formal agreement with federal government on intercity passenger rail
cooperation
– Create a planning agency to coordinate and support intercity public
transportation in Northern Ontario (Metrolinx “North”)
– Declare a provincial interest in all upcoming rail line abandonments
– Promote operational cooperation between VIA and GO Transit
Summary of “Restoring Rail Passenger Service to
Ontario’s North Shore and Across Canada”
• Funding provided by Bruce Hyer, MP Thunder Bay – Superior North
and Transport Action
• Prepared by Greg Gormick, noted Canadian rail transportation
consultant and writer
• North Shore challenges and solutions:
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National Rail Passenger Policy
Adequate and stable funding for VIA
VIA track access on freight lines
Long Haul cost-recovery
Northern Ontario Service Review – includes using refurbished Budd
RDC’s (Transport Canada to resolve alleged CN safety concerns).
– VIA Rail Canada Act. Model from Amtrak approach
Budd Rail Diesel Car (RDC)
Summary of “Revitalizing New Brunswick’s Rail
Sector”
• Funding from five New Brunswick cities and one economic agency,
under coordination of Transport Action.
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Prepared by Greg Gormick.
• Timing for revitalization is good due to new Federal Minister (2013),
new VIA President (2014), in-depth audit of VIA (underway)
• Report recommends actions on several issues, including VIA’s halving
of the frequency of the Ocean passenger service in 2012
Summary of “Revitalizing New Brunswick’s Rail
Sector” (cont’d)
• Recommended actions in response to VIA cutbacks of 2012:
– Municipal resolutions and direct approach to Minister Raitt
– Interim service using available Budd RDCs. Resolve alleged safety
concerns by CN
– Scope connecting bus service
– Investigate transferring ownership of VIA stations to municipalities
– VIA to form a consultation committee
– Investigation by Auditor General as part of 5-year VIA audit
– Encourage FCM (Federation of Canadian Municipalities)
Potential Short-Term Steps to Improving Passenger
Rail in Southwestern Ontario
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Establish regional working group ideally with VIA participation.
Citizen awareness and activism
Obtain provincial and federal support in principle
Develop feasible concept plan (2-5 year horizon) that people can
rally around:
– Network – Rail and Connecting Bus
– Equipment (Budd RDC per 2009 VIA proposal?)
– Station ownership
– Service level
Develop Business Plan for 2 year pilot program:
– Operations
– Marketing – major public awareness program
– Costs, fares, funding (multi government)
Implement pilot and draw conclusions for further work
Longer Term Ideas and Needs
• Emulate similar US corridors
– Toronto-Kitchener-London 195 km, 4.2 Million Population
– San Francisco–Oakland-Sacramento 145 km, 3.6 Million Population
• Improved passenger comfort (Siemens Railjet Video)
• Improved corridor safety
– Petroleum movements
– Crossings upgrade
• Airport Links
Amtrak Capital Corridor vs. VIA North Main Line
THANK YOU!