swota

Network Southwest – Stratford Public Forum

January 22, 2015 by swota

A practical plan for affordable and convenient public transportation in Southwestern Ontario

Stratford will host a public forum to present Network Southwest, an action plan for rapid solutions to our region’s transportation challenges.

With:
Greg Gormick
President, On Track Strategies
Transportation analyst and government policy advisor

Thursday February 12, 2015
7.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m.

Kiwanis Community Centre
111 Lakeside Drive, Stratford, ON N5A 7K5
Coffee and refreshments will be served.
Kiwanis Community Centre is an accessible venue.

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Network Southwest – St. Marys Public Forum

January 21, 2015 by swota

A practical plan for affordable and convenient public transportation in Southwestern Ontario

St. Marys will host a public forum to present Network Southwest, an action plan for rapid solutions to our region’s transportation challenges.

With transportation analyst and government policy advisor:
Greg Gormick
President, On Track Strategies

Friday February 6, 2015
7.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m.

St. Marys VIA Station
5 James Street North, St. Marys ON N4X 1B6
Coffee and refreshments will be served.
St. Marys VIA Station is an accessible venue.

Phone: 519-284-3310

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Network Southwest – Sarnia Public Forum

January 11, 2015 by swota

A practical plan for affordable and convenient public transportation in Southwestern Ontario

Sarnia will host the first in a series of public forums to launch Network Southwest, an action plan for rapid solutions to our region’s transportation challenges.

With transportation analyst and government policy advisor:
Greg Gormick
President, On Track Strategies

Saturday January 31, 2015
2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.

Sarnia Public Library Theatre
124 South Christina Street, Sarnia ON N7T 8E1
Door Prizes from: IMPERIAL THEATRE ▪ SARNIA STING ▪ VIA RAIL
Sarnia Public Library is an accessible venue.

Phone: 519-542-7751 x 3110

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Listen to Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley discuss rail service improvements on NewsTalk 1290:
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Ontario Starts High Speed Rail Study

December 6, 2014 by swota

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.

Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus Receives SWOTA and RAIL Updates

October 25, 2014 by swota

Terry Johnson, Jim Houston, Mabel Higgins, and Peter Miasek

Rail Advocacy in Lambton (RAIL) and the Southwestern Ontario Transportation Alliance (SWOTA) presented an update on the progress of their initiatives to the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus meeting in London, on October 24, 2014, at the invitation of caucus chairperson Todd Case.

The Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus is a not-for-profit organization representing 14 counties and Chatham-Kent in western Ontario, the purpose of which is to enhance the prosperity and overall wellbeing of rural and small urban communities across the region.

Jim Houston, presenting on behalf of RAIL, detailed the discussions with VIA Rail that contributed to providing an improved connection at London and significantly reduced journey times to Toronto for Sarnia and Lambton County passengers; the reinstatement of stops at Strathroy; and continuing efforts to secure the restoration of daytime services to and from Sarnia.

SWOTA detailed progress in bringing together community advocacy groups across the region, with the support of Transport Action Ontario, to develop a common strategy and system-wide approach to improving public transportation choices across the region.