To the editor North Bay Nugget
We must be getting close to a provincial election.
There is talk of restoring passenger rail service in Northeastern Ontario again. All three political parties are sending signals of support or at least tacit agreement that it might be politically savvy to resurrect the discussion.
Be wary of politicians bearing gifts, particularly at election time. The reality is this. The NDP can make whatever promises necessary, and I trust them in their sincerity, ever mindful, however, of the fact that the prospects of actually having to deliver will be a long shot .
Lest we forget that the Conservatives wanted to get rid of Ontario Northland in its entirety, let alone the passenger train.
But alas, some Liberal guy came to town and saved the ONR by signing a pledge not to sell it. Lo and behold, however, some years later they got rid of the Northlander and sold Ontera for a fraction of its book value at a fire sale.
This is what happens when we let bureaucrats make business decisions. More often than not these decisions have nothing to do with what is best for the region but are usually driven by southern Ontario interests who take the North for granted.
In the transportation sector they are usually more concerned with the provision of commuter services than with the needs of Northerners. Unfortunately, that is a political reality that results in spending billions, and in some cases deservedly so, in the transportation needs of the south.
Comparatively speaking, however, they spend a pittance on the travel needs of the folks living North of Barrie.
But I digress a little. You can see that I am an equal opportunity “disher-outer”.
So, let’s focus on the needs of Northern Ontario respecting long distance passenger train service. First, let me say this. Save and except for a few excursion and bullet trains, there is no passenger rail service in the world that can pay its own way, including the Toronto commuter service. So, if the sole criteria for restoring passenger rail in the North is the expectation that it will pay its own way, then the idea of restoring this service is dead in the water.
The question really becomes as to whether there is a socio-economic need. If the answer is yes, the service can and should be restored. The challenge then becomes as follows; the provision of a good, reliable and comfortable service with consistency, with good on time performance, with a schedule that works for people along its route and not to satisfy the commuter service of the south.
I can speak with a certain amount of experience about this. I have not forgotten the number of times I found myself sitting on the southbound Northlander in a siding within sight of the CN tower and yet still being one to two hours from Union Station.
Respect for Northern Ontario rail travelers who have to sit on a train for hours and consistent on-time performance, are paramount in any future discussion and negotiations leading to a successful reinstatement of the service.
Imperative also, both internally and externally, is the focus on providing a memorable train ride and not a train ride nightmare. Onboard service personnel should exemplify the art of a caring and courteous provision of excellent customer care and not the art of indifference.
I am confident that there are plenty of “people-oriented” employees who would be willing and able to provide just that.
Getting back to the former Northlander service, a few notable comments. If that particular train was full every day in both directions, it would still not pay for itself. The principal reason for this was the exorbitant per mile charge paid to operate the service from North Bay to Toronto.
This particular leg of the service made money for the other railroad. Further, the ONR being a provincial agency, it was not eligible for a federal subsidy for the service in its entirety but only for the North Bay/Toronto leg. This, of course, went to the other railroad to help pay for the per mile charge .
Lastly, a passenger rail service could be restored and could ultimately be successful (not necessarily in financial terms) if some of the following thoughts are considered.
Provisions of first class comfortable passenger cars - not necessarily new, but cars which could be refurbishment by the ONR’s own work force.
Internal and external respect for the service to ensure a pleasant and meaningful experience for Northern travelers and tourists.
The provision of exemplary on-board services.
A realistic schedule which can be maintained and which would work for the people of the North for maintaining medical appointments, for students, for attending sporting events and other events.
A commitment from the feds for a realistic subsidy without resorting to the old cop out “it is a provincial agency” service.
A rebranding and marketing of the service as a “Polar Bear Train” experience originating in Toronto and terminating in Cochrane or points west, possibly connecting with an ACR train, and also having a workable/convenient connection to the James Bay coast.
I have heard rumblings of a possible Budd car service approach. I doubt that there are many Budd car services left in Canada. Our severe winters, topography and distances do not lend themselves to a safe, comfortable and memorable train ride experience. If that was to be the approach, save our money. It would be dead on arrival in terms of possible ridership.
I admit that I am a train enthusiast but I am also a realist. Admittedly the resurgence of any passenger train service in this neck of the woods may be a long shot. If this is anything but an election time sound bite, some of the foregoing might be kept in mind.
Ernie Marasco
North Bay
We must be getting close to a provincial election.
There is talk of restoring passenger rail service in Northeastern Ontario again. All three political parties are sending signals of support or at least tacit agreement that it might be politically savvy to resurrect the discussion.
Be wary of politicians bearing gifts, particularly at election time. The reality is this. The NDP can make whatever promises necessary, and I trust them in their sincerity, ever mindful, however, of the fact that the prospects of actually having to deliver will be a long shot .
Lest we forget that the Conservatives wanted to get rid of Ontario Northland in its entirety, let alone the passenger train.
But alas, some Liberal guy came to town and saved the ONR by signing a pledge not to sell it. Lo and behold, however, some years later they got rid of the Northlander and sold Ontera for a fraction of its book value at a fire sale.
This is what happens when we let bureaucrats make business decisions. More often than not these decisions have nothing to do with what is best for the region but are usually driven by southern Ontario interests who take the North for granted.
In the transportation sector they are usually more concerned with the provision of commuter services than with the needs of Northerners. Unfortunately, that is a political reality that results in spending billions, and in some cases deservedly so, in the transportation needs of the south.
Comparatively speaking, however, they spend a pittance on the travel needs of the folks living North of Barrie.
But I digress a little. You can see that I am an equal opportunity “disher-outer”.
So, let’s focus on the needs of Northern Ontario respecting long distance passenger train service. First, let me say this. Save and except for a few excursion and bullet trains, there is no passenger rail service in the world that can pay its own way, including the Toronto commuter service. So, if the sole criteria for restoring passenger rail in the North is the expectation that it will pay its own way, then the idea of restoring this service is dead in the water.
The question really becomes as to whether there is a socio-economic need. If the answer is yes, the service can and should be restored. The challenge then becomes as follows; the provision of a good, reliable and comfortable service with consistency, with good on time performance, with a schedule that works for people along its route and not to satisfy the commuter service of the south.
I can speak with a certain amount of experience about this. I have not forgotten the number of times I found myself sitting on the southbound Northlander in a siding within sight of the CN tower and yet still being one to two hours from Union Station.
Respect for Northern Ontario rail travelers who have to sit on a train for hours and consistent on-time performance, are paramount in any future discussion and negotiations leading to a successful reinstatement of the service.
Imperative also, both internally and externally, is the focus on providing a memorable train ride and not a train ride nightmare. Onboard service personnel should exemplify the art of a caring and courteous provision of excellent customer care and not the art of indifference.
I am confident that there are plenty of “people-oriented” employees who would be willing and able to provide just that.
Getting back to the former Northlander service, a few notable comments. If that particular train was full every day in both directions, it would still not pay for itself. The principal reason for this was the exorbitant per mile charge paid to operate the service from North Bay to Toronto.
This particular leg of the service made money for the other railroad. Further, the ONR being a provincial agency, it was not eligible for a federal subsidy for the service in its entirety but only for the North Bay/Toronto leg. This, of course, went to the other railroad to help pay for the per mile charge .
Lastly, a passenger rail service could be restored and could ultimately be successful (not necessarily in financial terms) if some of the following thoughts are considered.
Provisions of first class comfortable passenger cars - not necessarily new, but cars which could be refurbishment by the ONR’s own work force.
Internal and external respect for the service to ensure a pleasant and meaningful experience for Northern travelers and tourists.
The provision of exemplary on-board services.
A realistic schedule which can be maintained and which would work for the people of the North for maintaining medical appointments, for students, for attending sporting events and other events.
A commitment from the feds for a realistic subsidy without resorting to the old cop out “it is a provincial agency” service.
A rebranding and marketing of the service as a “Polar Bear Train” experience originating in Toronto and terminating in Cochrane or points west, possibly connecting with an ACR train, and also having a workable/convenient connection to the James Bay coast.
I have heard rumblings of a possible Budd car service approach. I doubt that there are many Budd car services left in Canada. Our severe winters, topography and distances do not lend themselves to a safe, comfortable and memorable train ride experience. If that was to be the approach, save our money. It would be dead on arrival in terms of possible ridership.
I admit that I am a train enthusiast but I am also a realist. Admittedly the resurgence of any passenger train service in this neck of the woods may be a long shot. If this is anything but an election time sound bite, some of the foregoing might be kept in mind.
Ernie Marasco
North Bay