http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/
Dick Crawford is president of Crawford Building Consultants in Lakefield.
I recently had an opportunity to ride the Ontario Northland train from Toronto to Cochrane and back. I had an opportunity to observe firsthand the operation and service on this train, which operates six times per week. Here are some observations why this service is of such good quality and necessary for Ontarians.
I found the train to be clean and well maintained, with excellent staff service. The passenger train appears to be well patronized, not just by local users, but also by college and university students travelling to and from school, and a significant number of people travelling to tourist destinations to access canoeing and hiking. I noted the existence of a well-organized bus feeder service to nearby towns such as Hearst and Timmins. This train is a lifeline for northern residents to connect to the south, especially for much needed medical appointments.
I don’t understand why such a well-organized and patronized service should be removed. Consider that almost all the G8 and G20 countries are expanding railroad service. Why is Canada cutting back? The G8 and G20 countries consider train service to be a nation-builder and an efficient connector of people. It is well documented that there is nothing more efficient than a steel wheel on a steel rail.
The McGuinty government was recently awarded top marks from the Corporate Knights for reducing greenhouse emissions. Trains have the lowest greenhouse gas emissions for moving people. This is well in line with the government initiatives for cleaner air, land, and water.
In my conversations with Ontario Northland crew, there is much freight service on this line. The freight service helps support the passenger operations. Ontario Northland has a major railcar re-manufacturing plant located in North Bay. This plant provides profits, which are turned over to the rail operations. This is a real asset to Ontario Northland.
Most importantly, trains in the G8 and G20 countries are all run with the assistance of government subsidies. Why not Ontario Northland? This line deserves the same treatment that is received by Via Rail and Go Transit. This train could continue to operate with just one percent of the monies being allocated to the Toronto area.
Lastly, this train is a boon for northern residents who depend on the train to attend doctor’s appointments and hospital visits. They are being discriminated against and forced to suffer unnecessarily by not being able to take the train.
For the rest of this column, please go to the Peterborough Examiner website: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2012/09/23/northern-train-works-so-why-not-keep-it