Kim Rudd, Member of Parliament for Northumberland—Peterborough South and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources, praised today’s announcement from the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, that the Canadian government will provide funding for VIA Rail to replace its fleet in the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor.
This announcement proposes funding for Transport Canada to replace VIA Rail’s cars and locomotives for use in the Windsor-Quebec City Corridor, as well to support the continued in-depth assessment of VIA Rail’s highfrequency rail proposal for the Quebec City-Toronto Corridor, to which the Canadian government will contribute $8M.
“I have met several times with VIA and have advocated for high-frequency rail on numerous occasions,” said Rudd. “Today’s funding announcement is a critical piece to make this important service a reality. I want to congratulate Minister Garneau, his staff, as well as the board of VIA and their staff for replacing VIA’s key Windsor/Quebec City fleet.”
VIA Rail’s light, rapid, comfortable coaches on the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor – an area that accounts for 94% of VIA Rail’s ridership – are reaching the end of their useful life and must be replaced. A new, modern fleet will provide our travellers with safer, faster, more frequent, more accessible, and environmentally friendlier service. Enhancing intercity passenger rail in the busy Quebec City-Toronto Corridor has the potential to provide travellers with greater options and better service, such as increased reliability, more frequent options, and faster trip times.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
