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.