Ontario announces return of passenger rail service between Timmins and Toronto

The Ontario government says it is investing $75 million to restore passenger rail service between Timmins and Toronto.

“The previous government chose to cancel this rail service, cutting people and economies in Northeastern Ontario off from the rest of the province,” said Premier Doug Ford, in a statement. “At a time when our government is building up home-grown supply chains that connect resources, industries and workers in the north with the future of clean steel, electric vehicles and batteries, we’re restoring this vital transportation link. We’re getting it done and bringing passenger rail back to Northeastern Ontario.”

Today in #Timmins, I was joined by Minister @C_Mulroney to announce that our government is investing $75 million to bring passenger rail service back to Northeastern Ontario.

We’re getting Ontario moving by restoring transportation options cut by the previous Liberal government. pic.twitter.com/02O2RVBqXA

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) April 10, 2022

The province released an updated initial business case that outlines options for passenger rail service from Toronto to Timmins.

It says future feasibility work on a preferred route will include a new rail connection to Cochrane, expanding the reach of the rail transit to 5,300 more people and providing a connection to Polar Bear Express service to Moosonee.

The province says the potential in-service date is in the mid-2020s. Passenger rail service will be offered based on seasonal travel demands and will range from four to seven days a week.

“Restoring Northeastern passenger rail service is critical to building the regional economy and making life easier for people living in the North,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation, in a statement. “Our government is delivering for Northern Ontario through historic investments in rail service, roads, highways and bridges so that people living in these communities have a transportation network that works for them.”