Southwestern Ontario Transportation Alliance

Our Mission is to connect community groups, government stakeholders, and businesses working towards the integration and enhancement of rail, bus, and local transit services across Southwestern Ontario

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Power of Rail Symposium – October 12th

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Talbot College, Western University

WHO: Irene Mathyssen MP (London–Fanshawe, NDP), Terry Johnson (President, SWOTA), Western students, faculty and the general public

WHAT: One-hour public symposium with presentations and time for Q&A

WHEN: Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 1pm-2pm

WHERE: Talbot College, Room 101, Western University – Get Directions

The Southwestern Ontario Transportation Alliance (SWOTA) and Irene Mathyssen, MP (London–Fanshawe, NDP) are being welcomed by Western University on October 12, 2016 for a symposium on the fight for better passenger rail service.

Western students and faculty travel all the time. They deserve affordable, efficient, and sustainable ways to get to Toronto, to Waterloo, to Windsor and to Ottawa. Why drive congested, dangerous highways and pollute our environment?

SWOTA works with Transport Action Ontario to connect community groups, government stakeholders and businesses, and advocates for better travel options across our region. With climate change on everyone’s mind, and transportation causing a huge percentage of greenhouse gas emissions, smart solutions are needed. And the smartest solution of all is the network we already have: passenger rail.

The event will focus on High-Speed Rail options, the huge expansion of GO Transit in Toronto and VIA Rail’s struggle to survive with inadequate funding. Other topics will include SWOTA’s well-documented solution: Network Southwest and the upcoming reintroduction of the NDP’s proposed VIA Rail Canada Act.

Students value mobility and know that Canada’s public transport system isn’t up to the task of supporting the social and economic opportunities they want. THE POWER OF RAIL Symposium will give students a voice, and enable them to get involved in the discussions that will directly impact their futures.

Ontario Starts High Speed Rail Study

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Bombardier Zefiro 380 High Speed Train. (Björn König)
Bombardier Zefiro 380 High Speed Train. (Björn König)

Ontario is taking the next step to build a high-speed rail line that will connect Windsor, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Toronto, which will improve travel options, reduce travel time and create jobs by getting people moving. On December 5, 2014, the Minister of Transportation, Steven Del Duca, met with the Mayor of London, Matt Brown, as well as key business leaders to discuss the latest plans.

The start of an environmental assessment (EA) marks the next phase of the project, which includes identifying the most appropriate route, examining state-of-the-art transportation technology options and an environmental impact evaluation. The EA will be guided by consultations in early 2015 with municipal and business groups, as well as with First Nation and Métis communities.

High-speed rail service connecting Windsor, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Toronto is part of the government’s long-term transit and infrastructure plan, Moving Ontario Forward. This plan will make nearly $29 billion available over the next 10 years for investments in priority infrastructure projects across the province, including public transit, roads, bridges and highways.

Speaking to Blackburn Radio, Mike Bradley, Mayor of Sarnia, welcomed the announcement while stressing the immediate need to improve conventional rail service across the region.