$75 Million for Passenger Rail
June 7, 2024Province making significant progress in restoring passenger rail service between Timmins and Toronto
NORTH BAY – Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced that the Ontario government is delivering on its promise to restore the Northlander passenger rail service to northeastern communities by investing more than $75 million. Last Friday, Associate Minister Vijay Thanigasalam was in Bracebridge to announce three contracts that included new shelters and rail safety projects. This marks a significant milestone in reinstating service between Timmins and Toronto, providing a safe and reliable transportation option for northern communities and unlocking northeastern Ontario’s full economic potential.
“Our government has long recognized the importance of having safe, convenient and reliable transportation that extends to Northern Ontario,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone in the long-awaited restoration of the Northlander’s vital passenger rail service. We look forward to the positive impact this will hold for our local communities as well as those experiencing the beauty and opportunities of the North for the first time.”
“This investment marks further progress on the reinstatement of the Northlander train service,” said Chad Evans, Chief Executive Officer for Ontario Northland. “The shelters will be safe and accessible, providing a consistent, modern passenger experience for customers boarding and exiting the train all along the route. We are excited to see this work progress during this construction season and next.”
Construction of station platforms, parking areas and pathways will begin this summer, along with track improvements to enhance rail safety, reduce derailment risks and decrease train maintenance. Once reinstated, the Northlander passenger rail service will operate four to seven days a week, based on seasonal travel demands.
Quick Facts
- Enseicom Inc. has been awarded the contract to design and manufacture nine new station shelters.
- Remcan Ltd. has been awarded the contract for track improvements to enhance rail safety, decrease maintenance and reduce derailment risks.
- X-Rail has been awarded the contract to complete warning system upgrades along the Northlander corridor north of North Bay.
- The Northlander service will enhance the province’s integrated transportation network and advance work on the province’s Draft Transportation Plan for the North.
- In April 2022, Ontario Northland released the Updated Initial Business Case, which included a preferred route from Toronto to Timmins with a rail connection to Cochrane.
- In December 2022, Ontario announced the purchase of three new trainsets as part of its plan to reinstate the Northlander.