North Marysburgh’s Dominique Aucouturier is a regular user of the Via Rail train service from Belleville to Toronto. She’s worried VIA might resurrect an express Montreal-Toronto pilot project in the new year that leaves Belleville off the route.

Announced in early September, the pilot was to move Via Rail trains 60, 61, 68 and 69 to direct service between Montreal and Toronto. Cornwall, Brockville, Kingston and Belleville would lose service.

The express trains promise to trim 30 to 40 minutes off travel times between major cities.

But public pressure brought a halt to the project. Bay of Quinte MP Chris Malette along with several other elected officials noted VIA Rail’s decision was made without public consultation. “I have reached out to the Minister of Transport to express my concerns and will be advocating strongly for VIA Rail to reconsider and reverse this decision. It is crucial for the well-being of our community that we maintain these vital connections,” said Mr. Malette.

“The planned pilot project for a direct Montréal–Toronto service, scheduled to launch on September 29, has been postponed due to operational constraints with our rail partner, CN,” VIA Rail said in a statement.

Taking a Breath

Ms. Aucouturier says she regularly uses the VIA service for medical appointments in Toronto. Moving four trains from local to express service would upend the schedules of regular day users and eliminate a safe and green mode of long distance transportation. 

Ms. Aucouturier has created a petition with 210 signatures from County residents asking VIA Rail to permanently halt any idea of an Montreal-Toronto express that cuts local service.

In her correspondence with VIA, she says spokespeople have explained the pilot project is on hold “for the moment” and that it could be “re-examined based on needs and operational evolution.” 

“The concern is that they are going to come back with this in a month or six months.” 

Getting Up to Speed

Meanwhile, momentum is building for a high speed train to  connect Toronto with Quebec City on a designated track. Once completed, the first phase will link Ottawa with Montreal. Stops in Peterborough, Laval and Mauricie are planned. 

ALTO is currently in the development and pre-construction phase of the $80-120 billion project with Cadence, its private developer partner. This phase is expected to last about 4 years and includes technical design work on the tracks, stations, and supporting infrastructure.

Following a preliminary analysis covering technical, environmental, social and financial aspects of the project, ALTO is determining a preferred alignment. 

Regionally, a pair of options are developing for the high speed track. One sees the dedicated line stay close to Highway 7 past Perth and Madoc. Another would have the line divert south of Perth and come closer to the 401 corridor, although the track would still be well north of Kingston and Belleville. 

Commuters in the Limestone City are hopeful the track’s proximity would create opportunity for another station, but ALTO has poured cold water on that notion. 

“The Government of Canada has mandated Alto to develop a high-speed train network that includes 7 stops between Toronto and Québec City. Those stops are Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Laval, Montreal, Trois-Rivières, and Québec City,” said ALTO Spokesperson Benoit Bourdeau. “High-speed rail isn’t designed to stop frequently. Its efficiency comes from sustained high speeds, and every additional stop adds braking, dwell time, and re-acceleration, which lengthens the journey and greatly diminishes the benefits.”