ONR horn honours frontline workers

Ontario Northland has decided to use arguably the loudest horn in the city to help recognize frontline essential services workers. 

The horn sounds traditionally at the start or end to a shift but now the horn is blowing loudly at 7:30 p.m. at night with some trains joining in as well.  It's part of new nightly phenomenon that is taking part nightly during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

President and CEO Corina Moore says Ontario Northland is proud to join in. 

"You see those things and it just warms your heart and when you can do things as a part of the 'Together We Can Do It' campaign I think it's just a sign of solidarity for our community and we all need to do our part, I couldn't have been more proud," she told CKAT.

See related: North Bay Neighbourhood Cheer 

See related: Special procession honours hospital workers (VIDEO)

Moore says the idea came from engine attendant Tammy Richard. 

"She has such a positive spirit as so many in the shops do and across this organization, so now we've instituted it so that our normal horn goes off every night as well," Moore said. 

Moore says Ontario Northland is one of the essential transportation services in the north.

"We continue, more than ever now, with our freight customers, bus and rail, but we have made some critical changes.  We are doing done everything we can to increase cleaning and social distancing and be guided by health professionals.  We have staggered shifts over at the shops and really doing whatever we possibly can to make sure that we minimize the risk," she said.