(feature image provided by Linda Savory-Gordon. The passenger train arrives at Sault train yard on March 31st, 2015)
“I was all ready to go to bed and figuring that this was just going to be the most horrible night. I went down to the yard tonight waiting for the train to come in just in case it was the last one!” The comment is from Linda Savory-Gordon, one of the co-founders of the Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains.
“There will be ongoing input from the stakeholders,” added Savory-Gordon. “The community and stakeholders will continue to have a voice. We’re eager to work with the Railmark to make this the most fabulous passenger service in Canada.”
Below is the press release sent out by the office of MP Bryan Hayes this evening.
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Ottawa, ON – Bryan Hayes, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, on behalf of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, announced today that the Government of Canada will provide $5.3 million over three years for the continued operation of the passenger rail service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst, Ontario.
The City of Sault Ste. Marie will receive federal support for three years for the continued operation of the passenger rail service to establish a new regime of passenger rail service in the area. This would allow Railmark, the proposed operator, to demonstrate its ability to deliver on its business plan. A review will be carried out at the three-year mark to determine if additional funding is warranted.
Since 1977, the Government of Canada has provided financial support to ensure the continued operation of the passenger rail service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst under the Regional and Remote Passenger Rail Services Class Contribution Program. In 2013, the program was renewed as the Remote Passenger Rail Program, with a focus on remote rail services that provide access to established, year-round communities with few or no other transportation options.
Quote:
“The Harper government is pleased to provide funding over the next three years to maintain operation of the passenger rail service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst. We thank the Central Railway Passenger Service Stakeholder Working Group for their extensive study, as this funding will give the City time to put in place a long-term solution for passenger rail service in the area.”
Bryan Hayes
Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie
4 Comments
The trip from SSM to Hearst is spectacular. Congratulations to all those that worked night and day and lobbied those city slickers in Ottawa. There are exciting things going on in the north, as anyone in the mining sector know. THIS RAIL SYSTEM facilitated Northern development and mines, yet nothing from the Minister of that portfolio was heard… Special thanks to Bryan Hayes.
Good news. Here’s hoping everything in place @ end of April so I can book a trip.
I try not to overuse this favourite quote but it’s so appropriate today: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead
Thank you to everyone who has worked so tirelessly, passionately and faithfully to save our train and to preserve our Northerner way of life!!
This company certainly has a interesting view on expanding what the ACR already is. New stations talked about in the Soo and Searchmont indicate an upcoming snowtrain to go skiing which will be a plus to the Apres Ski services out there and in the city. Who know’s, maybe an expansion east to Sudbury or Ottawa could even be in the cards someday.