VIA Rail service to Peterborough is looking more and more like reality.
Earlier this morning, a press conference was held at the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce that included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Transport, the Federal Government, VIA Rail, and local leaders from across the city and county.
Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra says the stop in Peterborough is part of a larger corridor.
The new high-frequency lines would go from Toronto to Quebec City, and would include stops at Eglinton, Peterborough, Smiths Falls, Ottawa, Montreal, Laval and Trois Rivieres among others.
President and CEO of VIA Rail Cynthia Garneau says a big change with the new system is how eco-friendly it will be, as it’ll be about 90% electric.
The goal of bringing high-speed rail back to Peterborough has been at least 15 years in the making according to President of the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Stuart Harrison.
Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef says bringing new means of transportation to the area opens up a world of possibility both from a business standpoint, as well as for tourism.
Alghabra says the Federal government has a target of 2030 for the project to be completed, which includes consultation with indigenous communities, business communities as well as construction of the new infrastructure. A location for a VIA rail station in Peterborough has not yet been determined.
