Unhappy with train and bus service in the north?
"All Aboard Northern Ontario", a new grassroots advocacy group, is trying to push the government to take action.
It launched a campaign to the Northlander passenger train and make improvements to other rail and intercity bus services across n
See: Citizens upset by cancellation of Northlander
“The time for a determined and well-researched campaign to revive the Northlander is now,” says Éric Boutilier, founder of All Aboard Northern Ontario. “After more than two years of working with other groups to bring this about, it has become apparent that polite meetings with the very politicians and bureaucrats who cancelled the Northlander in 2012 result in nothing.
“Meanwhile, the provincial promise to improve intercity bus service in lieu of reinstating the Northlander has produced a reduction in the frequency of those very buses and endless additional studies by Queen’s Park. This madness needs to stop if
Boutilier says his group will be increasing its push for equitable investments in public transportation by developing a public presentation of a restoration plan for the Northlander. He says documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act have already produced data that throws into question the wisdom of the train’s abandonment by the McGuinty government.
“The way forward is the one now being pursued by the All Aboard St. Marys citizens’ committee in
All Aboard Northern Ontario will shortly release its data-based proposal for the restoration of the Northlander.
"The group will also be investigating and reporting on other northern transportation issues, such as the dismal performance of VIA Rail’s Canadian, which is leaving Ontarians from
“The time for action is now. With a provincial election on the horizon, the issue of the Northlander needs to be placed before the public and the candidates of all political parties.
“Action also needs to be taken on the inadequate service provided by VIA, which is deteriorating rapidly. We intend to put these and other public transportation issues before the public and our elected officials before the isolation now being experienced by
All Aboard Northern Ontario has today launched its website and social media pages.
Northerners are also encouraged to share their story of how the cancellation of the Northlander has affected them personally.