April 10, 2022

DO YOU REALLY HEAR THAT TRAIN A COMIN’? TORIES AGAIN TOUT NORTHLANDER IF ELECTED

TIMMINS — Don’t line up for tickets just yet, but eight weeks out from the provincial election Tories are touting the return of the Northlander “mid 2020s” if re-elected.

And it could see old double-decker GO train cars rolling up and down through Muskoka.

A release Sunday afternoon says the Ontario government is investing $75 million to bring passenger rail service back to Northeastern Ontario after the last train ran through Muskoka in 2012.

The premier’s office says service will be reinstated between Timmins and Toronto, helping to connect Northern Ontario as the government invests in unlocking the full economic potential of northern industries, resources and minerals.

Says Premier Doug Ford: “At a time when our government is building up home-grown supply chains that connect resources, industries and workers in the north with the future of clean steel, electric vehicles and batteries, we’re restoring this vital transportation link. We’re getting it done and bringing passenger rail back to Northeastern Ontario.”

In November the Northlander rolled back-and-forth through Muskoka during a test run of the tracks.

Sunday the province said it had released an undated updated initial business case that outlines options for passenger rail service from Toronto to Timmins.

It says future feasibility work on a preferred route will include a new rail connection to Cochrane, expanding the reach of this critical rail transit to 5,300 more people and providing a connection to Polar Bear Express service to Moosonee.

The government release says that “With a potential in-service date in the mid-2020s, passenger rail service will be offered based on seasonal travel demands and will range from four to seven days a week. The rail service will provide passengers with access to reliable overnight travel options while commuting between Northern Ontario and Toronto.”

On Friday Minister of Transportation Caroline was in North Bay where she announced the province would spend $109 million to refurbish 56 double-decker GO Transit rail cars.

She said the work, starting in May will create 100 jobs at the Ontario Northland Remanufacturing and Repair Centre in North Bay, in the riding of Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli, the city’s former mayor.

The retrofits will include new seats, washrooms, improved electrical outlets with USB ports, improved heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems and better doors.