Cobourg Council – Council Calls for Reinstatement of Commuter Train

In City Hall

By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Cobourg council voted on Monday to support a letter from Lance McIntosh urging the reinstatement of Via Rail commuter train 651 with a motion to have staff write a letter advocating this move to Via Rail and to Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Philip Lawrence.

The train used to hit Cobourg at 7 a.m. and Port Hope at 7:10 a.m., allowing “well in excess of one hundred people living from Trenton to Port Hope to be able to work in Toronto without the necessity of having to live there…the best of both worlds, if you will,” McIntosh stated.

Their attempts to get a credible response from Via resulted in stalling or outright silence.

Councillor Emily Chorley mentioned a job her husband once had that required him to take this train.

“I am familiar with the huge volume of residents here in Cobourg who rely on this commuter service to get to work,” Chorley said.

“I understand Via is hesitant. But it’s not just important for commuters, but also for any of our residents who need that connectivity for medical appointments, for entertainment, for visiting family. It’s important send its own letter.”

Mayor John Henderson recalled a visit to council by Via representatives years ago, to let them know that both a third line and a brand-new station were in the works. It seemed for a while, Via was interested in improving its service to the community. Since COVID hit, he said, that has not been the case.

The motion calling for a letter from the town also asks that the municipality request a written response.

Cecilia Nasmith
Author: Cecilia Nasmith

Join Our Newsletter!

Want to keep up to date on news and events in Northumberland? Subscribe to newsletter!

You may also read!

Northumberland OPP – Suspicious Vehicle Leads to Drug Arrest (Name Released)

The Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged an individual following a report of a suspicious

Read More...

Win Tickets to World Premiere of REZ GAS at The Capitol Theatre in Port Hope

Today’s Northumberland and the Capitol Theatre are giving away two tickets to opening night of Rez Gas at on

Read More...

Construction Begins on Improvements at Welcome Intersection in Port Hope

Northumberland County is moving forward with improvements to the intersection of County Road 2, County Road 10, and County

Read More...

Mobile Sliding Menu