TROIS-RIVIÉRES, Quebec — Canada’s Transport Minister, Omar Alghabra, announced Tuesday that the government was taking the first steps in a long-discussed plan to build a “high-frequency” rail line serving the Toronto-Quebec City corridor, steps which could see procurements begin this fall for the proposed passenger-only trackage in part of the corridor.
In advance of a request for proposals for the procurement, the government will seek comment from Indigeous groups and communities along the route; work with the private sector to determine capacity and a model for the delivery of service; and seek to accelerate negotiations with railways on dedicated routes into and out of city centers.
“High Frequency Rail in the Toronto to Quebec City Corridor is a massive transportation project with the potential to transform passenger rail service by offering faster, more reliable, more frequent, and cleaner transportation service,” Alghabra said in a press release.
The website Daily Hive reports that Alghabra said at a Tuesday morning press conference that the High Frequency Rail route would be “the largest transportation infrastructure project seen by Canada in decades,” and that the project could shave 90 minutes off travel times between Toronto and Ottawa, which currently takes more than 4 hours, 15 minutes, by allowing top speeds of up to 124 mph. The National Post reports the project could cost anywhere from C$6 billion to C$12 billion, and reports Alghabra said up to 90% of the route will be electrified.
“The final budget will vary depending on what the final product is going to look like and that’s why right now we are starting engagement with the private sector,” Alghabra said.
The high-frequency proposal — which would include the rebuilding of a former Canadian Pacific right-of way for passenger trains — was first floated in 2015, but has been slow to advance. It received more than C$71 million for feasibility studies in 2019 [see “News Analysis: VIA’s ‘high frequency’ plan gets funding …,” Trains News Wire, June 25, 2019].
And what about the access to Bonaventure Station in Montreal through the now closed Mount Royal Tunnel??
This will never happen. By the time they get through with the Indians and the NIMBYs in all the on-line communities who, no doubt, will predict dire things happening to their children and their home values this will die. And predictions of $C12 billion are way understated. All of these things cost at least triple the low-ball projections made by the consultants. Look at CHSR. Sold to the gullible populace at $33 billion and now even $100 billion isn’t going to be enough and that is for a shortened system. I’m just curious. If 90% of the line will be electrified does that mean that the trains will coast through the other 10% or is there a change of engines somewhere.
What is VIA’s definition of “high frequency”? Twice a week? Maybe three times a week in a good week. Maybe four times in the week including Canada Day. Maybe if the train runs at all VIA will call it “high frequency”.
Your answer lies with VIA Charles. Maybe you can contact them and find out what they mean by “high frequency”? Then report back here if it satisfies your understanding of “high frequency”? Have a feeling that even if it was daily or more that wouldn’t wouldn’t meet your expectations either.
Charles, since they already have several trains a day, I would think more than that. Every hour or two at least.
Very different from what VIA considers adequate elsewhere in Canada