Canada Moves Forward with High-Speed Rail: A New Era for Travel Between Toronto and Quebec City
In a significant move for Canadian transportation, the federal government is “seriously” considering the construction of the country’s first high-speed rail link connecting Quebec City and Toronto. This announcement was made by Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, highlighting the government’s commitment to enhancing passenger rail services.
The plan, initially introduced in 2021, proposed a high-frequency rail corridor with stops in key cities including Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal, Trois-Rivières, Laval, and Quebec City. The estimated cost for this ambitious project ranges between $6 billion and $12 billion. As the initiative progresses, three qualified bidders have been identified to compete for the project, with expectations to offer both conventional rail networks reaching speeds of 200 km/h and high-speed alternatives comparable to European models.
Minister Duclos stated that the successful bidder will be announced soon, along with further details about the project. He emphasized that the models being considered for high-frequency rail are quite similar to those used in high-speed trains, suggesting that achieving faster travel times is a realistic goal. Current VIA Rail services operate at slower speeds of 60 to 120 km/h, sharing tracks with freight trains. The new corridor is expected to feature dedicated tracks, significantly improving travel times for passengers.
“This would be a transformative project for Canadians,” Duclos noted, indicating that it would unite nearly half of the country’s population. Approximately 18 million residents live within the proposed corridor. However, Duclos also acknowledged that travelers might not be able to purchase tickets until the mid-2030s, as the project will be rolled out in phases and undergo various environmental and regulatory assessments before a final investment decision is made.
Interestingly, Canada currently stands out as the only G7 nation without a high-speed rail system. Historical commitments made by political leaders during past elections, such as Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff and NDP leader Jack Layton, have highlighted the long-standing interest in high-speed rail development.
The VIA HFR initiative has shifted its focus towards enhancing both speed and frequency, aiming for an electrified corridor that would reduce carbon emissions and alleviate road congestion. The proposed rail line, which spans over 1,000 kilometers, is also considering expansions to include London and Windsor, further bolstering regional connectivity.
As Canada embraces the potential of high-speed rail, the journey towards modernized transportation infrastructure continues, aiming to make rail travel a viable and eco-friendly alternative to cars and planes.
Source: Swifteradio.com
