To whom this may concern:
I am running a nonprofit company that is promoting the Northern Ontario passenger rail service. Specifically Northern Ontario passenger rail service promoting the return of the passenger train to the north shores of Lake Superior. A petition that I have started has garnered 5,543 signatures so far. You can view the petition and comments people have left here:
I have been on both VIA #1 and VIA #2 both as an employee (CN) and as a passenger a few times, travelling from Longlac to North Bay and beyond to Toronto, as well as Montreal to Vancouver. I totally enjoyed my time spent on the train meeting people from all around the world. A little tweaking on the meal plan would be a must to make it a totally priceless experience.
LET'S MAKE OUR PASSENGER TRAIN A TRULY WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE
I recently rode the Budd Car from White River to Sudbury, return. The service employees were exceptional - and professional, in every way. As I have mobility issues, they were very helpful. I was rather disappointed with the number of passengers on the train; from White River to Chapleau, I was the lone traveller. We picked up a few passengers in Chapleau and other spots, for a grand total of six passengers.
Our return trip was not much better as we left Sudbury with three passengers and picked up a few along the way, including some CP employees for a grand total of six passengers. Everyone got off the train in Chapleau, leaving me by myself again. The people I spoke with explained to me how very important the Budd Car is to them. I was also told that the late Spring and Summer months are much busier, providing a safe and reliable service to the many camps along the route.
Why is this train so empty in the winter months? Passengers coming into White River have no place to go, once they reach White River, as it is the end of the line. With no other passenger rail service connecting them to further destinations like Marathon -through to Thunder Bay and beyond, the only option is a bus service - Kasper. This bus service is rather expensive and not very comfortable. Also, for the people of ThunderBay to travel on Via #1 or Via #2, they have to travel 3 hours on a windy - and many times impassable and dangerous route, in the Winter months up to Armstrong.
The solution:
BRING THE VIA back were it belongs along the North Shore of Lake Superior
The scenery is absolutely priceless along the shore of Lake Superior - rivalling that of some of the scenery in BC and Alberta. Make it a valuable piece of VIA"s travelling corridor, adding a Jewel in its crown. Originally, I thought the Budd Car would have been a good solution to run from White River to Thunder Bay, but after talking to the service employees on my Budd Car trip from White River to Sudbury, the employees who work on this route made me understand that the Budd Car is not very reliable, and is broken down and requiring repairs much of the time. You could refurbish the Budd Car unit, and run it some place where it is needed. Passengers boarding the train at Armstrong could have a bus connect them with VIA #1 AND VIA #2. Greenstone already has a bus, the Kasper bus service, that could connect either to Nipigon, or Thunder Bay. I am sure Kasper bus lines would be happy with the extra business this connection would offer.
Sincerely,
Jacques Ouellette
Northern Ontario Passenger Rail Service
box 189
Marathon ON
P0T2E0
noprs@yahoo.com