VIA outcry continues to grow
Photo courtesy of Northumberland County.
By Cecilia Nasmith
The outcry surrounding the cancellation of VIA Rail Train 641 that provided early-morning service to Toronto from the Cobourg and Port Hope stations was spotlighted in Saturday's Toronto Star, which featured comments from Brighton Mayor Brian Ostrander.
Ostrander noted that there was no warning of Via's plans.
“You and I subsidize the railroad so that we can get people around the country,” he added.
“I think part of that subsidy needs to be considered when we're moving people in and out of the largest city in the country.”
Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland's Facebook remarks were also referenced, as was the letter signed by Northumberland-Peterborough South's MP Philip Lawrence and MPP David Piccini demanding “complete transparency and honesty.”
Until the COVID-19 pandemic, early service to Toronto was a given. The rise of working from home in response to the pandemic led to the suspension of this service – which, once the emergency had subsided, was not reinstated.
Northumberland County began advocating immediately for its return, an effort which included a report based on feedback from more than 2,800 residents. It showed that 96% of previous users intended to return to the service if it came back. As well, 31% of all respondents identified themselves as prospective new users. The report also documented the financial pressures facing commuters in the absence of this service, as well as the broader economic and environmental benefits of providing an alternative to vehicle travel.
As time went on and Via continued to hesitate, the county even launched the Commuter Connect pilot project in September 2022 to get local commuters to the Oshawa GO station, from which they could get regular and reliable service to points west, including Toronto.
This was a partnership with with Metrolinx and Hop In Technologies for weekday service and an on-line portal for ticket purchases. In addition, the county partnered with Community Care Northumberland to provide transportation from outlying Northumberland communities to pick-up points in Cobourg and Port Hope.
A year in, the service among Northumberland communities was discontinued (according to the county website, “due to low ridership interest and costs associated with operation”). As for service to Oshawa, council approved extending funding through 2026, pending a review in June 2024 – which cited continued low ridership and a high cost to subsidize the service. However, this review took place the month following Via finally restoring the early-morning service on Train 641, and Commuter Connect was official discontinued Aug, 2, 2024.
Via announced last week that Train 641 will cease operations Oct. 25, meaning no before-9 a.m. arrival time at Toronto's Union Station from Cobourg and Port Hope – though Via pointed out that there is still service to Toronto on a later train that would arrive at about 9:37 a.m.
“Northumberland County worked hard alongside our municipal partners, along with MPP Piccini and MP Lawrence and residents, to demonstrate why this service matters, and we were pleased when Via responded by restoring a morning train in 2024,” Warden Bob Crate said in the county's latest press release.
“The evidence that made the case for restoration has not disappeared. Northumberland continues to grow. Our residents continue to travel west for employment, education and medical care. They continue to need affordable, reliable alternatives to driving Highway 401. Eliminating this service takes us backwards.”
Citing the case made by the county four years ago, Crate insisted that it still stands.
“We are calling on Via Rail and the Federal government to listen once again and work with our communities to maintain this vital connection.”
As the county shares community feedback with VIA Rail Canada and the Minister of Transport, it encourages residents, businesses and communities to add their voices at the county's Keeping Your Commute On Track engagement page.
