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Our newsletter for May, 2026 is pasted below. It includes articles on
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| Transport Action News – May 2026 |
 Train 73 accelerating to 95 mph on VIA-owned track between Chatham and Windsor |
| We apologize for the lack of March and April newsletters. We were very busy preparing for our Annual General Meeting and the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Transport Action (formerly Transport 2000) Canada, on May 2nd at the Bronson Centre in Ottawa. The weekend was very successful, including our national and Ontario Annual General Meetings. The Transport Action Ontario AGM elected officers and directors for 2026-2027. The Transport Action Canada AGM elected directors. Under our bylaws, officers are to be appointed at the next meeting of the board of directors later this month. Directors were present from across the country and across the province for these meetings. In addition to the business meetings for members, we also had a public session with presentations by our national and regional leaders and by guest speakers. All the meetings were open to remote participation via Zoom. We also held our celebratory 50th anniversary dinner, with special guests. The people who were at the founding meeting of Transport 2000 in February 1976 were present and our guest speaker was former Minister of Transport the Hon. David Collenette, who has been involved with transportation matters since he first entered Parliament in 1974, as well as since he retired from the federal government. There will be a more detailed account in the June newsletter, |
| The past two months have been complex transition periods for Transport Action Canada and its regional affiliates. As announced last year, our President, Terry Johnson, has chosen not to stand for re-election in 2026, as he is pursuing a full-time project in railway engineering at the University of Birmingham, England. Terry was an outstanding resource and leader for the organization, and we deeply thank him for his efforts. At our Annual General Meeting, May 2, the following 12 Directors were elected: Marcus Garnet, Richard Gibbons, Harry Gow, Chris Graper, Ben Hammer, Tim Hayman, David Jeanes, Rick Jelfs, Tariq Khan, Peter Miasek, Adam Mills and Michael Olivier. The Directors have not yet selected a new Executive team. With Terry’s departure, there is a need to transition numerous presidential functions. We ask the indulgence of our members and readers as we move towards new approaches and formats for our newsletter, social media and website. The balance of our newsletter is below. Peter Miasek President, Transport Action Ontario |
| Federal Major Projects, Including ALTO The government of Canada faces enormous challenges in redirecting the country’s economy from its longstanding integration with that of the United States to build a stronger internal system with multiple overseas partners. A necessary part of the new system will be stronger transport systems for goods and people. Pipelines, ports and railways are among the components the federal government has proposed as major nation-building projects to strengthen the economy. One of these major projects will be the Quebec – Toronto high speed rail line. VIA Rail Canada had previously touted a renovated classic railway passenger system with new trains on existing tracks on a more frequent schedule, but has now begun working on creating a new system, ALTO, based on high-speed rail experience in Japan, France and other countries. While the first part of the line to be potentially built will link Montreal – Ottawa, public consultations have taken place along the whole proposed system. This has generated a huge flurry of rural activity opposing the project as it might divide farms and involve expropriations over the whole sweep of territory in the corridor. We have encouraged ALTO to be more proactive in explaining its rural compensation practices. Oddly, superhighway projects with several times the land take per km rarely invite this level of opposition. Ports have attracted federal support in the eastern end of the same corridor, with projects at Quebec City (Beauport) and near Montreal (Contrecouer). Beauport has received $123 million for customs facilities to accommodate deep-sea container ships on a rearranged bulk terminal. Contrecoeur may receive several billion dollars for new quayside facilities for medium-sized container ships to relieve congestion in Montreal. Existing CN Rail facilities will be expanded at both sites. |
| SEPTA Purchase from Exo The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is purchasing 24 coach rail cars from Exo in Montreal, for a total of $8.58 million (US). The coach cars were originally manufactured by Bombardier in the late 1980’s. The cars will operate with SEPTA’s existing fleet of ACS-64 electric locomotives. |
| VIA Rail Refurbishment Project VIA Rail Canada has announced a $150 million program to modernise its fleet of 56 Château and Manor sleeper cars over the next five years. The work will be carried out by CAD Railway Industries at its facility in Lachine, Québec. The upgrades are expected to include improvements to interior fittings and onboard systems, with the aim of maintaining service standards on long-distance routes. The refurbished cars will operate on The Ocean and The Canadian. The programme is part of a broader effort to maintain reliability while new rolling stock is being procured. |
| Highlights from Transport Action Ontario Our Ontario affiliate has been very active in the past two months. Given below are various highlights, with details available in the links to the Transport Action Ontario website. Metrolinx Overspeed Incidents Demonstrate need for ActionsMedia articles have identified serious near-miss incidents on the GO Train network. Transport Action Ontario has written to Metrolinx…… Lessons Learned from Eglinton Crosstown LRTToronto’s Eglinton Crosstown LRT started up in February to mostly good reviews. However, the project had been beset by many problems. In a frank discussion, Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay revealed lessons learned……. Petitions to Fund “Bear Train”Our colleagues at the Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains (CAPT) have initiated two petitions……. ALTO Consultation FeedbackTransport Action Ontario and Transport Action Canada have submitted an 18-point letter to ALTO summarizing our observations and comments……. GO Expansion – Details Emerge, Timing SlippingMetrolinx has revealed details on this expansion project which show delays to 2036 and beyond……. Expansion Plans for Toronto Billy Bishop Airport face Uncomfortable TruthsAfter a decade of relative quiet, the Ontario government has announced it wishes to expand this controversial airport. As in 2014, Transport Action Ontario is supporting local advocacy groups in opposing these plans… |
| Transport Action Ontario Annual General Meeting elects new Officers and Directors At the Transport Action Ontario annual general meeting, held in Ottawa on May 2, 2026 in conjunction with Transport Action Canada, the following officers and directors were elected: President – Peter Miasek, Vice President – Tariq Khan, Secretary – Ken Westcar, Treasurer – David Jeanes, Directors – Bruce Budd, Lucille Frith, Tony Rubin, Linda Savory-Gordon, Josh Todghen, John Willatt. |
| Highlights from Transport Action British Columbia The TransLink Board approved increases in its funding sources – raising fares, property taxes, and the YVR surcharge. With provincial assistance, TransLink is fully funded through 2027.TransLink released the Burrard Peninsula Area Transit Plan, a 15-year, transit improvement plan, revamping existing routes and expanding service to under served areas. Victoria based Circql Ferries’ proposal for electric ferry service from Gibsons and Bowen Island is proposing to use Vancouver Parks’ Harbour Green Dock as its Vancouver terminus. The dock would be rebuilt, with public amenities, but is about 1 Km from transit at Waterfront Station. If constructed, it would be the 3rd ferry terminal on Vancouver’s waterfront. Another company is proposing a ferry service linking several sites in Victoria (Colwood, Esquimalt) with small electric ferries, with a prototype vessel being built this year. The model appears similar to False Creek’s ferry service. Columbia Rail, a US short line rail operator is conducting its due diligence on the section of BC Rail that CN plans to discontinue. Representatives of the operator toured the line with Trudy Klassen, a Prince George city councillor and Eric Andersen of the District of Squamish. Provincial budget freezes transit spending, curtailing needed expansion. https://thetyee.ca/News/2026/03/20/Public-Transit-Expansion-Plans-Shelved-BC/?ref=cascadia-journal.com Pressure mounts to link Alberni Valley, Tofino/Ucluelet with BC Transit buses. Here’s the study that also discusses Port Alberni-Qualicum Beach (RDN) service. It would connect with buses to Parksville and the City of Nanaimo, but it could also connect with buses to the Comox Valley and Courtenay, possibly Campbell River via limited connections at Deep Bay. But funding is uncertain. https://cheknews.ca/calls-for-accessible-intercity-bus-service-in-the-alberni-clayoquot-region-intensify-1315437/ Hullo Ferry adjusts fares. https://cheknews.ca/hullo-ferries-raising-ticket-prices-on-june-1-lowering-prices-for-extra-luggage-and-bikes-1317400/(Note: Hullo is much more reliable as well as faster than the increasingly (and predictably) unreliable BC Ferries. But it has two flaws:–No phone-based customer service/reservations–Poor Vancouver terminal (long, weather exposed access, long walks to Waterfront and to taxi ranks, no dedicated/owned waiting area. Hullo should be asked to consider moving to the SeaBus terminal.)) Action called to improve transit on Highway of Tears (Hwy 16). https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/mmiwg2s-highway-tears-transportation-9.7159942 |