The Ministry of Transportation is seeking public feedback on passenger rail and bus services between Toronto, North Bay, Timmins, and Cochrane via an online survey.
The MTO said it wants to “understand the unique transportation needs of people and businesses along the rail corridor between Toronto, North Bay, and Cochrane/Timmins. Your feedback will help us develop a plan to improve the transportation system in northeastern Ontario. We will report back on what we heard in Winter 2021.”
The transportation survey seeks feedback on preferences for passenger rail and bus services, including departure times, train frequency, travel time, and cost considerations.
The survey closes on November 20, 2020.
“Our government recognizes the unique transportation needs and challenges of the North,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines in a media release. “Improving transportation options and connecting communities will enhance quality of life by providing northerners with better access to services, medical appointments and family.”
Co-chairs of the Northeastern Ontario Rail Network (NEORN), Lucille Frith and Howie Wilcox, sent an email encouraging residents along the rail corridor to complete the survey.
“As you may have an interest in seeing passenger train service resume in northeastern Ontario, and MUSKOKA specifically, the Committee Promoting Muskoka Rail Travel (CPMRT) and the Northeastern Ontario Rail Network (NEORN)…urge you to complete the Ministry of Transportation survey as well as forward this content to your contacts who may share your interest in passenger rail service from Toronto to northeastern Ontario, and specifically Muskoka region,” they wrote. “In 2012 when the train stopped operating, 51 per cent of the passengers got on or off between Toronto and North Bay.”
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I have a lot of friends and relatives that for sure would use year round and more that would use it in the winter
All your comments are great and I agree with you… I used the Train lots over the years especially while in college to return home for … the usual things a student would. ;-))
In the past few years, we have traveled many parts of Canada and Western U.S. by Rail and loved it.
Special suggestion – for the best VIA price, CALL VIA and ask when the sales are for Coach and Sleeper class. We save lots that way.
I do hope our Politicians are listening and will act.
I miss the train. I used it quite a bit back in the 70’s and 80’s but the train operators failed to grasp the fact that people will usually pay for two things when it comes to transportation.
They will pay for speed but the train was not exactly speedy.
They will pay for convenience and as noted by many above the train schedule was not the best either.
If the product is neither convenient or fast then it’s only hope is to be cheap and the train was not even this so it is no longer with us. Sadly I’m afraid.
One of the things I liked about the train was it’s reliability, weather did not affect it much. It was nice to be able to catch the train about 4 am in Huntsville, have a meal prior to arrival in Union Station about 8 am and then have the day in Toronto, being able to sleep on the way home. Trouble was that if you wanted to go to a sports game or show the return train left about 6 pm if I remember correctly, way too early.
Scheduling will always be an issue with a train.
Ignoring Covid. If, for example one wanted to take a train from Huntsville (assuming there was one for a moment) one needs to get to the station. A taxi from some distance outside of town will cost you about $80 give or take, then there is the train fare and this will be doubled for the return. Once you get to a place like Toronto two things come to be. One.. you can only take with you what you can comfortably carry, and Two.. everywhere you want to go in the city will be a TTC or cab fare away.
When you add all this up you discover that you can drive your car to the city and back on a tank of gas that costs less than the train fare.
You have to have a car to live in the countryside of Ontario as there is simply no public and affordable transport option outside of any town so you can discount the actual cost of owning a car.
Parking costs, but remember you can go anywhere in the other town and take 4 or so friends with you and you can take with you any item you can stuff in the car (or pickup truck maybe) all for the same cost.
When you add all this up, you discover quickly why the train is no more.
If, by some technical magic, one could step onto a train in Huntsville (maybe with trains running at 2 to 4 hour intervals) and step off in say Barrie in an hour or Toronto in two, or Sudbury in three…. and if this ride cost me somewhere between $30 and $50 you can be a lot of people would most likely be riding the train. Sadly, although we are contemplating a return to the Moon and maybe a one way for Elon to Mars, our best transportation minds cannot figure a way to make this happen so we drive cars.
I regularly took the train to visit friends at their cottage in Huntsville and it was a great journey, especially through the forest. The Ontario government should reinstate the train as it is used by so many people and keeps people out of cars.
I would love to see rail service again . It would be lovely to have an early train to Toronto and a late train back that night .
Born and raised in Bracebridge, but spent over 50 years in the Thornhill area, now a permanent resident of Port Sydney. I would love to have the train back as I travel often to see my friends in the South would definitely use the train. Of course not travelling until Covid is over.
I agree with Lloyd Walton about the schedules. They kept making the times more ridiculous. Latterly, if you had a medical appointment in Toronto, to use the train you would have to spend two nights in a hotel in Toronto. The reason – the trains arrived in Toronto late in the day (evening) and left first thing early the next morning. Perhaps if they even put on two trains a day, then many more people would use it and be well worth the extra money, etc. to run it.
Needed very badly. Only way l can see my family is bus or train
The sheduling on the trains before they stopped were designed to discourage travel. When rail companies want to end passenger service, this is a common tactic to prove that it is not profitable. It would be sensibble to leave Muskoka in the early morning and do business, or pleasure in Toronto and return at night. Or, rail service for bicyclers from the city to Muskoka on the weekends. Cottagers might opt for weekend trips to Muskoka by train as they did from the beginning of the last century in droves. Of course it will require additional infrastructure and services from private companies. Another issue is the roadbed of the track. The right of way is already there so it can be fixed.
The rail companies have to hire people with an entrepreneurial SPARK!! It also begs broader leadership with vision and vigour.
There are many people who cannot drive a far distance… this is why the train is so important … keeps us connected with family and the ability to not be stuck at home as there is no transportation … and the bus takes waaay too long … I for one would be a huge supporter of getting the train back ..
We are interested in having the train service back in huntsville, though I doubt we would use right now with the Covid. But it would probably take time to get a train schedule back up and running.
Train would be great.
Lower GHG on a per seat basis.
We still need cars for local but it’s nice not to drive long distances.
We’ve met sooo many people on a long distance train trip.
Call VIA to get the sales specials, Coach and Sleeper Class, not what’s on-line.
David Johns the people who are now custodians/owners of the train station building are quite prepared to open it up to travellers, should the train be reinstated. I have no worries in that regard.
Be nice to have the train back.
It is important to keep the bus and rail links open. Several of my family members have used the bus from Bracebridge to Toronto and the buses were almost full.
Not everyone owns a car or can drive. Keep bus and train for those who struggle. Many Native communities in those areas.
Question. Where do we wait for the Train now that our local officials gave the Train Station away?