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If the Fergus Spur is the "the only realistic chance", maybe it's time to dismiss the idea of passenger rail to Cambridge. The proposed routing to Pinebush has very poor connectivity, and as noted by others, busses would provide a vastly better service at a much lower cost. The reality is that...

They are down to one customer in Cambridge with service once per week. That's a lot of track miles and several high maintenance bridges and crossing for very little revenue. CN wants out of the Fergus Spur and the only reason it has stuck around this long is because they are speculating on...

https://www.paullangan.com/2023/12/go-trains-to-cambridge-solving-40-year.html?m=1 Great article about GO service to Cambridge. Pours some cold water on the Fergus Spur plan as there are some proposed developments on adjacent properties along the rail corridor which will prevent expanded rail...

https://www.cheknews.ca/planning-meetings-underway-for-island-rail-corridors-future-1179040/ Looks like we're headed for the inevitable. There is zero hope of a rail revival here. Almost every stakeholder, including the First Nations are against it. A railway on Vancouver Island is entirely...

I had been considering this earlier, but this discussion has reignited my interest. I'm considering organising an advocacy campaign to fight the return of the Northlander. It could be politically unpopular, but there might be a chance to get the government to back down on this. Perhaps if other...

Why not? If you won't, I will. The amount being invested in this is eye watering. We need better bus and transportation services, and if an expensive vanity project which duplicates existing services while providing a worse service is being built, it becomes a barrier to the actual improvement...

I don't know why this is a debate. Passenger rail in Canada should not exist outside the corridor. There isn't the slightest justification for it given the aforementioned issues of lack of density. The fact that groups like Transport Action Canada and the Island Corridor Foundation continue to...

This was visible from a mile away. If anything, it's a wake up call for government to not to invest in the private sector. Investing even a penny into Huron Central was an absolute farce. Just looking at the facts and volumes, it is abundantly clear that there shouldn't be a rail line between...

I think this really needs to be said more. What we are seeing in so many provinces with the restoration of rail routes that have no justification is really a step backwards no matter how some people try to spin it. The Northlander will be a costly, politically motivated mistake and will never...

I've thought about this in a previous post, but I wonder if this might present an opportunity to look into completely decoupling freight and passenger operations in the GTA. For example, with this conflict, it could be worth looking into eliminating freight traffic on the Guelph Sub entirely by...

Something I have been wondering about is the future of freight on Metrolinx corridors. Personally, with the level of service they expect GO to get up to, I don't see how freight can be accommodated in GO's long term plans. Some might say that the trains can run at night, but the window where...

https://www.nanaimobulletin.com/opinion/letter-to-the-editor-returning-tracks-is-just-an-excuse-not-to-fund-rail/?fbclid=IwAR3_MJtEaKIDRCJOuC3xQvDrZxpFOoNmdYf-fQHieF5WNvfqt2j18zgSO1g I suspect that this is indeed the truth. I find the transport minister's statements where he said he didn't want...

That portion isn't coming back either. The Halalt First Nation is beginning proceedings to get its portion of the corridor back. They plan on demolishing the RoW to improve drainage on the reserve. I think it's worth pointing out that this portion isn't particularly useful for rail either. I...

$18 million for planning and consultation isn't exactly a path towards restoring rail service. It is basically a way for both levels of government to continue to put off the decision until the condition of the corridor deteriorates to the point that makes it impossible to restore. Horgan...

Isn't the business case for Island rail tenuous at best? From what I remember, compared to the level of ridership and freight volume, the required investment is huge. Especially now that the corridor is broken up, and with First Nations being hostile to its return, I can't ever see it coming...

This is effectively abandoning the corridor north of Nanaimo. The Snaw-Naw-As First Nation has been clear that they do not want the railway back so any restoration would have to be diverted. A process which would be prohibitively expensive.

Well, surprised they said anything at all, but it is the result everyone expected. Abandonment. https://www.saanichnews.com/news/canada-b-c-announce-island-rail-corridor-lands-being-returned-to-first-nation/

Today's the day. Given that it has been complete silence from all levels of government, I don't think anyone should be holding their breath. Personally, I could see this all taking place without any sort of announcement or acknowledgement by any level of government. A few things I am wondering...

To be clear, I understand this. I am just stating that the rail ferry has a purpose. I don't believe there is any realistic case to revive the rail corridor, even for freight.

If this is the case, then why does a rail ferry still operate to Nanaimo? Do you anticipate that with the coming abandonment of the rail corridor, this will cease operations too?