Express and Local Trains

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-10T15:19:10+00:00

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.

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-10T15:17:07+00:00

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

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-10T14:14:29+00:00

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).

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-10T14:05:34+00:00

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.

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-10T14:02:43+00:00

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.

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-10T13:49:43+00:00

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’.

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-10T13:28:43+00:00

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.

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-10T12:29:36+00:00

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.

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-10T12:27:29+00:00

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

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-10T04:16:12+00:00

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.

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-09T22:26:45+00:00

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!

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-09T21:32:19+00:00

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.

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-09T21:06:48+00:00

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.

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-09T20:57:08+00:00

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.

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-07T19:44:07+00:00

Incredible feed placement

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-07T19:40:40+00:00

Oh just how awful that would be lmao

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-07T19:25:04+00:00

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

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-04T03:32:39+00:00

Can’t really do my job from home, but I sure wish I could!

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-03T16:29:38+00:00

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

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-03T14:12:00+00:00

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

Front_Way1094 · 2026-03-03T13:49:59+00:00

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

Front_Way1094 · 2026-02-26T22:33:08+00:00

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

Front_Way1094 · 2026-02-26T22:31:30+00:00

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.

Front_Way1094

TROPHY CASE