Yesterday, Premier Doug Ford was in North Bay to mark a critical step in the Northlander passenger rail service’s return later this year, with several months of rigorous testing now taking place along the entire route from Cochrane and Timmins to Union Station in downtown Toronto.
The Northlander is scheduled to resume passenger service later this year, after it was cancelled 14 years ago by the previous government.
This return to service fulfils a key commitment under the province’s $70 billion plan to invest in public transit across Ontario.
“For the first time in 14 years, the Northlander is back in Northern Ontario,” said Ford. “When it returns to service later this year, the Northlander will connect people across Northern Ontario to life-changing opportunities, school, vital medical appointments and more, while strengthening local towns and industries along the entire route, creating good jobs and economic growth across the north for years to come.”
The province is nearing completion of “burn-in” testing on the first trainset, which has travelled more than 1,600 kilometres in conditions that simulate regular service. The train will soon enter the next phase of testing and commissioning, known as Revenue Service Demonstration (RSD). During this phase of testing, Ontario Northland will train staff on the equipment, run emergency exercises, test schedules and make sure all safety and operating systems are working properly along the full Northlander route. This phase will simulate normal operations, including station stops and announcements, before the line opens to the public.
The second trainset has arrived in Ontario and will soon begin its own testing and commissioning along the Northlander corridor. A confirmed return-to-service date will be announced in the coming months as testing proceeds. The province has also released anticipated fares at launch, which are approximately 10 per cent above the standard rate of travel on the existing Ontario Northland bus service. This price is designed to be competitive and accessible, while reflecting the cost of operating a more reliable and consistent passenger rail service.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is protecting Ontario by restoring the Northlander and delivering reliable transportation for northern communities,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “This milestone brings us one step closer to connecting people to jobs, health care and opportunities across northeastern Ontario.”
Many northern communities do not have access to taxis, local transit, rideshare or community transportation, making it harder for residents to reach Northlander stations or complete their trip from beginning to end. To help address this, the Ontario government introduced the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, which would establish a Northern Rideshare Framework to support the growth of rideshare services in communities along the Northlander corridor. The framework would give municipalities the tools to support local rideshare services, while helping inform a future provincewide approach.
“Access to destinations between Toronto and northeastern Ontario towns and cities is critical for the quality of life of residents along this important corridor. The significant investment the province is making will ensure there is a reliable and timely service that connects communities and people. We are very excited that Huntsville will be one of the stops along the route and look forward to welcoming the Northlander in the near future,” said Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock.
“The return of the Northlander is generating real excitement across Parry Sound—Muskoka thanks to Premier Ford and our government. People across Muskoka have already started noticing trains on the tracks as testing continues ahead of the launch of passenger service later this year. Now, with fares released and testing moving along well, residents can start planning their first trip. This is great news for our region. It will help strengthen the local economy and give people another convenient option to travel south to Toronto or north to Timmins,” said Graydon Smith, MPP for Parry Sound—Muskoka.
“This is an exciting milestone for the Northlander. Restoring passenger rail service is a significant step forward for communities like Bracebridge, improving access to transportation, supporting local tourism and strengthening connections to jobs, health care and opportunities across the region. We look forward to welcoming this service back and the lasting benefits it will bring to our residents and visitors alike,” added Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney.
The Northlander will travel 740 kilometres between Timmins and Toronto, with a rail connection to Cochrane, for a total of 16 stops.
Quick Facts
- The first Northlander trainset arrived in Ontario in December 2025 and underwent testing and commissioning in Toronto. The second Northlander trainset arrived in Ontario last month.
- Each trainset has 169 seats, including accessible seating, wide aisles, accessible washrooms and charging ports.
- The province has invested more than $100 million in rail infrastructure north of North Bay to support the return of Northlander passenger rail service.
- Northern Ontario is home to more than 65,000 local businesses, contributing more than $55.5 billion to Ontario’s GDP in 2024.
- Ontario is investing $70 billion in the largest transit expansion in North America.
From the government of Ontario
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