Ontario-Northland passenger train. (Courtesy Wayne Shaw, Northeastern Ontario Rail Network)
In the wake of the announcement from Greyhound that it has suspended service in Canada, Ontario announced it is restarting Ontario Northland passenger rail service in the northeast.
The announcement is a more formal announcement based on what was included in the Ontario budget released in March, which included $5 million for planning and design work to bring passenger rail back in service.
Today’s announcement of the initial business case for passenger rail was made by Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney.
“We know Northeastern Ontario has unique transportation needs,” she said, mentioning in particular the need to access medical services in particular in southern Ontario. Northerners “need a modern, connected transportation network.”