Ontario government revives Northlander passenger train
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pictured on the Northlander passenger train earlier this month. / TWITTER PHOTO
The Ontario government says fares for the revived Northlander passenger train are expected to be about 10 per cent higher than current Ontario Northland bus rates, as the province moves closer to restoring rail service in northern Ontario.
Premier Doug Ford described the projected prices as affordable. Estimated one-way fares from Toronto to Timmins would be $181.67 for adults, $154.42 for students and seniors, and $90.84 for children aged two to 12.
The Northlander service was cancelled in 2012 by the former Liberal government, which cited high operating costs and low ridership, replacing the train with bus service. Ford pledged during the 2018 election campaign to bring the route back.
In 2022, Ontario announced the purchase of three new trainsets for $139.5 million. Each set includes one locomotive and three passenger cars.
The restored service will operate between Toronto’s Union Station and Timmins, making 16 stops along a 740-kilometre route, with a rail connection to Cochrane. Travel time is expected to be between 10 and 11 hours.
Ontario Northland CEO Chad Evans said testing of the first trainset is nearing completion, with staff training to follow. The remaining two trainsets will be tested later this year.
No launch date has been announced. According to a 2022 business case, annual operating costs are estimated at $283 million, with projected revenues of up to $93 million by 2041.
