Timmins tapped for terminal station in planned passenger rail revival
As northeastern Ontario nears a decade without a passenger train connecting them to the southern part of the province, officials announced that Timmins will be the final stop for the planned 13-station rail system.
The Ontario Northland Transportation Commission's (ONTC) new board chair, Alan Spacek, said this bodes well for plans to revive passenger rail in the region.
"All of us will have access to rail service," Spacek said.
"We haven't finalized a complete organizational structure or transportation network yet, but I can assure you that everyone will have good access to that passenger rail service."
The province cited Timmins' status as a regional hub as its decision to eventually build a terminal station there. Cochrane was also under consideration as the terminus.
The region's passenger rail system was decommissioned in 2012 after decades of servicing northerners.
Timmins Mayor George Pirie said people have been in need of more convenient access to southern Ontario—and vice versa—and so he sees this as an encouraging step towards making that a reality.
"There were 300,000 people that travelled on passenger rail through the north on the ONTC," Pirie said, highlighting the ability to better connect people to services and tourist attractions.
"We're very happy that Timmins has been the designated choice as the northern terminal."
Spacek said the planning process is a tedious one, when factoring in safety regulations, securing rail cars, and coordinating with the rail system's other stakeholders, like CN Rail.
That's why he said there is no projection at the moment on when people could expect to see the system in operation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.