The Ontario government announced yesterday that it plans to invest $75 million to bring passenger rail service back to Northeastern Ontario, including service through Muskoka.
Ontario Northland passenger service was cancelled in 2012.
The province released an updated initial business case that outlines options for passenger rail service from Toronto to Timmins. Future feasibility work on a preferred route will include a new rail connection to Cochrane, which will provide a connection to Polar Bear Express service to Moosonee.
The planned return to service won’t happen until some time in the middle of this decade, and will be based on seasonal travel demands. Seven-day-a-week service is proposed for the peak season of July to December, dropping to four days per week from January to June.
According to the business plan, southbound service would travel through Muskoka in between 7:50 and 8:40 a.m. and arrive at Union Station at about 11 a.m., while northbound service would leave Union station at 6:30 p.m. and pass through Muskoka between 8:35 and 9:45 p.m.
The proposed service would stop at the following locations: Toronto, Langstaff, Gormley, Washago, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, South River, North Bay, Temagami, Temiskaming Shores (New Liskeard), Englehart, Kirkland Lake, Matheson, and Timmins or Cochrane.
Related: Promises, promises, promises | Letters
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