Nov. 13: Ontario's Inaugural Road Pricing Forum: Toronto
Nov. 19: Road collision victims: National Day of Remembrance
"David Jeanes, president of the public transport advocacy group Transport 2000 Canada, is not impressed.
"The CBSA are treating it as though it is a completely new service rather than just an increase in frequency on an existing service. But in any case there really has to be a level playing field for the treatment of international travellers whether they are coming by plane, or by highway, bus, or by train," says Jeanes, on the phone from Ottawa. "Since Amtrak is prepared to provide the service, it's really unconscionable for Canada not to be cooperating."
Jeanes wants more intercity passenger trains from Vancouver to destinations," the Vancouver Courier reported on Oct. 22
"We absolutely have momentum going right now," says Island Corridor Foundation executive director, Doug Backhouse. "All we need now is a confirmation of the funding."
Now owned by communities through the foundation, the rail passenger and freight corridor has over 120 major supporters, the Daily News reported on Oct. 20.
Parisien's comments follow an announcement by Quebec Transportation Minister Julie Boulet that money would be spent to beef up commuter rail service into Montreal from the West Island and North and South Shores, and to create reserved bus lanes on a stretch of Highway 15 in Laval and along St. Michel Blvd. in Montreal between Henri Bourassa and Rachel Sts.
"The popularity of commuter trains is such that over the past 10 years, we've seen our ridership increase by 125 per cent," Metropolitan Transit Agency chairperson Joel Gauthier told reporters. "What we can say today is that beginning in January, we'll be able to offer 80 extra departures on our lines, which represents an additional 60,000 extra places for commuters on our trains," the Gazette reported on Oct. 21.
The MTC, meanwhile, has been given leave by the government to proceed with a call for tenders to replace 410 "low ride" buses that seem to have spent more time in the garage for repairs than on the road. The province will pay for half the deal's $200-million price tag.
"Clyve Doucet n'est toutefois pas le seul à proposer des changements. Le président de Transport-2000, David Jeanes, soutient quant à lui qu'un tracé suivant le corridor Byron serait également possible. Le vote qui engagera Ottawa dans un nouveau plan de transport en commun pourles vingt prochaines années aura lieu le 10 novembre prochain," SRC a rapporté le 21 octobre.
Air Transat plans to reduce surcharges on some routes and Air Canada is expected to follow suit. The Montreal-based charter carrier will reduce surcharges to several destinations in France, including Lyon, by nearly 17 per cent as of Nov. 1, to $290 from $348 for a return fare. Flights to Germany and Holland will get reductions in the spring, but no changes are planned for southern flights, but the cost of packages is lower than last year," CP reported on Oct. 17.
"Ongoing communication among all involved in railway noise and vibration issues can help develop awareness of the needs and realities of other parties and may help prevent future complaints," said Geoffrey Hare, the Agency's Chair and Chief Executive Officer.
"Representatives from business, community, tourism, government, interest groups and Marine Atlantic formed the steering committee to discuss areas of interest and look at global perspectives as Marine Atlantic moves ... (to complete) its long-term development plan for the North Sydney terminal.
"Steering committee members were given the opportunity to express their views and the views of the community and business sector in North Sydney on important issues such as security, accessibility of passengers to the community, recommendations for a new terminal location, acquisition of additional land as required, along with a new rejuvenation plan for the area of downtown North Sydney that is adjacent to Marine Atlantic Terminal property," the Post reported on Oct. 16.
"A year ago, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced funding for infrastructure and upgrading equipment in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor - where VIA Rail earned 80 per cent of its annual revenue last year. There is still plenty to dissuade passengers from choosing the train over the plane or driving themselves. VIA's on-time performance dropped by seven percentage points from 2006. ... The U.S. government has chosen to respond to Amtrak's increasing popularity by increasing its funding to boost service and safety to keep up with demand. Canada should do the same, and a period of economic turmoil is a good time for such government investment," the Globe said in an Oct. 20 editorial.
Railway Age reports: "Cooperation and communication among CSX Corp., the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, and Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad has led to substantial operational improvements this year for freight and passenger traffic on MBTA's Worcester Line. CSX's Vice President, Passenger & Operations Planning John Gibson acknowledged that in recent years media and political hostility were 'aimed at both of us.'" Things have lately been improving.
MBRC General Manager James F. O'Leary O'Leary praised all the parties involved for providing "effective investment, management focus, and reliable schedules" in turning the situation around during 2008 and proving freight and Passenger operations can be meshed successfully; ... on-time performance for MBTA Trains on the Worcester line, at one point only 58%, rebounded in 2008 (to date) to 91%. Delay hours attributed to CSX were reduced by 83%; delay hours attributed to MBCR declined 72%.
Gibson and O'Leary made their comments Monday during a panel session of Railway Age's Passenger Trains on Freight Railroads conference in Washington, D.C.