Category Archives for "Topics"

Would you want to ride in a 70-year old bus or in a 70-year old plane?

By admin | Documents , Interurban Rail and Bus , National News , Newsletters , Topics

So why should VIA be stuck with 70-year-old trains?

Canada is the only G7 nation that has not seen significant capital funding in intercity passenger rail in a generation. Since 2000, Via has only received a total of $1.6 billion (2017 dollars) for capital investments. In comparison, the United Kingdom spends more than that on passenger rail capital projects each year… ( Click here for The Ottawa Citizen’s story from May 2017 ) The last time VIA was able to buy new, purpose-built equipment was in the early 1980s.

Rail advocates outraged by Garneau announcement

By admin | Aviation & Marine , Media Releases , National News

“With climate change on everyone’s mind, and transportation causing a huge percentage of greenhouse gas emissions, smart solutions are needed,” says the public transportation advocacy group’s president Bruce Budd. “And the smartest solution of all is the rail network we already have. Except for a brief passing reference to a feasibility study of high frequency rail service linking Toronto to Ottawa and Montreal, why has Minister Garneau virtually ignored VIA Rail Canada in his 2030 Vision?”

Gaspésie Railway Reps to meet with Minister of Transport

By admin | Interurban Rail and Bus , National News

According to Radio Gaspésie, representatives of the Gaspésie Railway, the MNAs for Bonaventure and for Gaspé will soon meet the Minister of Transport (Québec) to convince him to fund the return of the (passenger) train to their line. The track has to be upgraded to passenger train standards according to VIA Rail which has stated it will restart the “Chaleur” train if the track is upgraded.

Hopes run high for New Brunswick’s RuralLynx

By admin | Atlantic , Interurban Rail and Bus

RuralLynx may soon be a reality in New Brunswick’s Charlotte County, bringing renewed mobility to the people of small towns and rural communities and connecting them with the public services they need in Saint John. The Southwest New Brunswick Transit Authority Inc. pitched its business plan to provincial Transportation Minister Bill Fraser and senior officials on October 27th.

Ottawa Light Rail Project Now Really Visible

By admin | Ontario , Urban Transit

The casual resident or visitor to Ottawa will no doubt note the catenary now visible at several locations of the Ottawa Light Rail Transit system under construction. While construction has been under way for more than two years now, the work was not highly visible to a casual observer, unless you were inconvenienced by down-town construction locations. But who can miss the poles and wires of the catenary system, a proud symbol of what we are about to get by the spring of 2018.