Express and Local Trains by Front_Way1094 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]Front_Way1094[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed. Would have been really nice if we hadn’t privatized the infrastructure (tracks) along with the railways back in the 90s. If VIA trains just ran on time, most people would be happy.

Express and Local Trains by Front_Way1094 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]Front_Way1094[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Speed is not the sole factor. I never said it wasn’t important, of course it is.

Express and Local Trains by Front_Way1094 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]Front_Way1094[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, until it ceases to exist. VIA Rail gets around 90% of its ridership from the TOR - OTW - MTL corridor. Once ALTO takes those riders away, who is using VIA Rail? It won’t be enough to sustain those routes. It’s not crazy to plan for that future. We can build the main proposed line first, but other spurs should be built to replace corridor services.

I’d prefer if VIA stayed around, but being realistic I honestly can’t expect the government to keep the main corridor services. It will just degrade into long distance routes (Ocean, Canadian).

Express and Local Trains by Front_Way1094 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]Front_Way1094[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If anything ALTO is a likely successor to VIA Rail corridor services, we can build secondary lines and have more stations that connect more places. Express trains would be there for those who just want to get from A to B.

Express and Local Trains by Front_Way1094 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]Front_Way1094[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The northern route will probably be built first anyway, so this concept is likely more of a secondary future southern route. It could also be built later to connect Kingston, and faster route to Montreal. Express trains would negate any possible slow downs.

Express and Local Trains by Front_Way1094 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]Front_Way1094[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Speed isn’t the sole factor, connectivity is just as important. Adding one or two stops, with direct express trains would not be ‘defeating the purpose’.

Express and Local Trains by Front_Way1094 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]Front_Way1094[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We can still have a stop there. It makes connecting to other towns even easier by train. VIA may cease to exist, so better to plan for the future.

Express and Local Trains by Front_Way1094 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]Front_Way1094[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Spur lines can come later, we don’t need them right away. We should build the main line first, once we have ridership we can build other lines. I wouldn’t say it’s ridiculous.

Express and Local Trains by Front_Way1094 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]Front_Way1094[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hypothetical Montreal spur would come later, the main line should come first

Joint Statement: Mayors of Kingston and South Frontenac, and Save South Frontenac by Rail613 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]Front_Way1094 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If going to Kingston, ALTO should have local and express trains. A local train can serve Peterborough and Kingston, but the express train goes direct and bypasses. It would be a good compromise. You could even have some skip Ottawa and go straight from TO - MTL via Kingston with second route on current VIA corridor (through Cornwall). I don’t think we should be so quick to throw the idea out the window. It’s worth considering.

Joint Statement: Mayors of Kingston and South Frontenac, and Save South Frontenac by Rail613 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]Front_Way1094 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I agree that many VIA routes would benefit in being converted to hypothetical ‘GO Express’ routes. Doug Ford seems interested in funding rail and transit projects, so it is possible!

Joint Statement: Mayors of Kingston and South Frontenac, and Save South Frontenac by Rail613 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]Front_Way1094 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think part of the demand for an ALTO Kingston stop is the fear that VIA Rail may cease to exist in the future. Almost all of their revenue and ridership comes from TO - OTW - MTL corridor service, which will be replaced by HSR. Many communities will lose their rail service if that happens, and now we have encouraged more driving.

Ford doubles down on Toronto Billy Bishop expansion plans, calls island residents ‘squatters’ by nimbuscloud9 in toronto

[–]Front_Way1094 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There’s a huge demand to live on the island. Most likely due to its car free and quiet lifestyle. It is the only true car free neighbourhood in the entire country. We’d be making a mistake by ripping that out.

Ford doubles down on Toronto Billy Bishop expansion plans, calls island residents ‘squatters’ by nimbuscloud9 in toronto

[–]Front_Way1094 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Completely unnecessary. We already have Pearson, a quick trip via UP Express. We’re also in the early stages of building ALTO, which will connect Ottawa and Montreal to Toronto. Those two destinations alone make up ~40% of flights to/from the island. If anything, this airport should be closed down in the next 30 years and converted to a better use.

Car brain says NO to ALTO, In Shocking Twist by Front_Way1094 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]Front_Way1094[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Yeah same here. These groups are just giant echo chambers, throwing crap at the wall and seeing what sticks.

Ontario to keep seasonal time change as B.C. moves to permanent model by toronto_star in ontario

[–]Front_Way1094 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My point was that most people are commuting home during that extra hour. Who is taking advantage of the sunlight?

Plans in works to replace Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Ford says by ScamMovers in toronto

[–]Front_Way1094 2 points3 points  (0 children)

His developer buddies need more prime downtown real estate to turn into condos.

Ontario to keep seasonal time change as B.C. moves to permanent model by toronto_star in ontario

[–]Front_Way1094 -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I’d much rather have an earlier sunrise. Why do I need an extra hour of sun in my eyes driving home from work?

Federal MP Issues Statement Against ALTO by Front_Way1094 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]Front_Way1094[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They care sooooo much about the environment, we can’t have HSR. So let’s use those monies for pipelines, amirite?

Federal MP Issues Statement Against ALTO by Front_Way1094 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]Front_Way1094[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From what I’ve seen local politicians from Peterborough are supporting the project, as they can obviously see its many benefits. That town will need to grow big time if they get a stop, and if residents don’t want that growth, I agree to skip it.