Canadians have been clear that they want faster, greener passenger rail service - and the Government of Canada is committed to making this a reality. The High Frequency Rail project, running from Toronto to Quebec City, delivers on this commitment, and will transform passenger rail through the creation of a more frequent and sustainable rail service.
Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced that this fall, the Government of Canada will be exploring options to improve passenger rail frequencies, on-time performance, and shorten travel times in Southwestern Ontario. To this end, the Government of Canada will seek an external advisor, who will analyse passenger demand and route options to deliver on rail service that best meets the needs of communities in Southwestern Ontario. The external advisor will analyze concrete options to enhance service in Southwestern Ontario for potential future integration into the High Frequency Rail project, submitting a final report to the federal government by the end of 2023.
The Minister also reiterated that the Government of Canada is committed to working with Indigenous groups and local communities to ensure their views are heard and their rights are respected. In early 2023, the Minister will host a stakeholder roundtable on passenger rail service in Southwestern Ontario.
These new actions build on more work being done to improve the overall passenger rail experience in Southwestern Ontario and along the Quebec City - Windsor Corridor. This includes $42.8 million in Budget 2022 to upgrade VIA Rail stations, which VIA Rail is prioritizing at its Brantford, Chatham, and Sarnia stations, and London station later this year. The Government of Canada has also invested $990 million to replace VIA Rail's fleet in the region, with the first new passenger cars coming into service later this year.
