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Ontario Northland/Northern Ontario Transportation

lenaitch said:
Timmins has already been announced and it would be highly unlikely they would re-start service to Cochrane only to take it away, again. If I recall correctly, earlier announcements said service would re-start first from Toronto-North Bay.
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I can't see how they don't eventually have some kind of Timmins to Cochrane connection - though possibly a different mode.

Part of the route is certainly a possibility.
 
It's a GO coach refurb announcement per the press release.

NEWS RELEASE

Ontario Supporting Manufacturing Jobs in North Bay​

Made-in-Ontario GO railcars advance GO Expansion and boost economic growth in the North
April 08, 2022
Ministry of Transportation
NORTH BAY – The Ontario government is providing $109 million to refurbish 56 GO Transit bi-level rail coaches at the Ontario Northland Remanufacturing and Repair Centre in North Bay. This investment is part of the government’s plan to expand service across the GO rail network and support economic development and job creation in the North.
“Under Premier Ford’s leadership, we’re supporting good paying manufacturing jobs in Northern Ontario while improving service across the GO rail network,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “Our government is driving economic growth and prosperity in all corners of our province to ensure that Ontario remains the best place to live, work and raise a family.”
The refurbishment of the bi-level coaches will begin at the end of May and support approximately 100 manufacturing jobs. The scope of work includes new seating and upgrades to washrooms, electrical components, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and door systems.
“Today’s investment is an important advancement in our government’s plan to strengthen economic growth and opportunities in the North,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade, and MPP for Nipissing. “We’re taking action to build a stronger, more resilient manufacturing sector in Northern Ontario that will support high-quality, good-paying jobs.”
Last November, the province also announced an investment of $171 million to refurbish 94 GO Transit bi-level rail coaches at the Alstom plant in Thunder Bay.

Quick Facts​

  • The $109 million investment for the refurbishment of 56 GO bi-level passenger rail coaches is in addition to the existing contract for the refurbishment of 15 cab cars that was signed between Metrolinx and the Ontario Northland in 2019.
  • The refurbishment work for the new contract will start on May 30, 2022, and is anticipated to be complete by late September 2025.

Quotes​

"Congratulations to the Ontario government on today’s announcement. This contract will support high-quality, good-paying jobs in North Bay and help to create the right conditions for economic growth in the North."
- Al McDonald
Mayor of North Bay
"This contract will provide job stability for our employees while contributing to economic growth in Northern Ontario. Our continued partnership with Metrolinx, specifically for refurbishment projects, confirms our exceptional skillset and reputation for high-quality remanufacturing services right here in North Bay. We are proud of the impact of this contract to the region as it will create long-term jobs as well as drive business to over 30 local suppliers."
- Corina Moore
President and Chief Executive Officer of Ontario Northland
"This vehicle refurbishment agreement is an important step in supporting the growth of our future rail capacity. We’re proud to make this progress, working with Ontario Northland and the communities of Northern Ontario."
- Phil Verster
President and Chief Executive Officer of Metrolinx
Click to expand...
 
Allandale25 said:
^ Could you elaborate? What happened in 2012? The Province went with CAD instead of ONTC?
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A tender was put up for refurbing a number of GO coaches. Apparently Ontario Northland was the favourite but Montreal-based CAD got the contract because it was supposedly $2 million cheaper. After the divesture announcement on Mar 23 2012 many speculated that awarding the contract to CAD in the previous year was the first indication that the government was no longer interested in Ontario Northland. Not sure if I buy that, but more work from the government shows some commitment.
 
nfitz said:
I can't see how they don't eventually have some kind of Timmins to Cochrane connection - though possibly a different mode.

Part of the route is certainly a possibility.
Click to expand...
Without going back into the proposal, it was either included (or maybe it is just assumed), that there would probably be a bus connection between Timmins and Cochrane or perhaps Porquis Junction (if it just to connect the two rail routes).
 
christine said:
A tender was put up for refurbing a number of GO coaches. Apparently Ontario Northland was the favourite but Montreal-based CAD got the contract because it was supposedly $2 million cheaper. After the divesture announcement on Mar 23 2012 many speculated that awarding the contract to CAD in the previous year was the first indication that the government was no longer interested in Ontario Northland. Not sure if I buy that, but more work from the government shows some commitment.
Click to expand...
It's going back some years but I recall that there were some problems with contract compliance and delivery at CAD and some work that was supposed to go to them did, in fact, end up in NB.

If nothing else, I think the whole divestiture exercise had a 'come-to-Jesus' effect on corporate and labour leadership at the ONTC when they saw what was potentially in their respective futures.
 
lenaitch said:
Without going back into the proposal, it was either included (or maybe it is just assumed), that there would probably be a bus connection between Timmins and Cochrane or perhaps Porquis Junction (if it just to connect the two rail routes).
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A bus connection is not the return of the Northlander.
Maybe they have a Timmins - Cochrane - Hearst route.
 
They have announced the return of the Northlander . . . to Timmins. From a business sense, do you service a community of ~5300 with a connection to ~1500, or a community of ~42,000?

Timmins and Cochrane are currently connected as part of other ONTC bus routes. It is possible we will see a more shuttle-type service, depending on how the schedules line up.
 
lenaitch said:
They have announced the return of the Northlander . . . to Timmins. From a business sense, do you service a community of ~5300 with a connection to ~1500, or a community of ~42,000?

Timmins and Cochrane are currently connected as part of other ONTC bus routes. It is possible we will see a more shuttle-type service, depending on how the schedules line up.
Click to expand...

Who said anything about not servicing Timmins?
 
nfitz said:
On a temporary basis - I did - if they wanted to expedite a restoration of service, using the the old routing.
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So, temporarily, run from Toronto to Cochrane, with a Cochrane to Hearst Train. Once the station in Timmins is ready, extend both services to Timmins.
 
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