The Canadian government considers the best way to serve the Toronto-Quebec City travel corridor is with a high-frequency rail system, but Ottawa is willing to hear whether private companies are able to reduce travel times for train riders.
federal transport minister Omar Alghabra announced Friday morning at Montreal’s Central Station that the project is entering a new phase: the Request for Qualifications.
In the next step, private companies will be able to present their proposals for the construction of rail service. trains Should be able to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h between Ontario and Quebec.
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But since the transit project was announced, there has been a political push from Quebec to consider introducing a high-speed train service between the two provinces.
The government of Quebec as well as the municipal leaders of Quebec City and Laval have expressed interest in the idea. They argue that this would encourage drivers to give up their cars to use the train.
on ThursdayIn 2010, a pair of Montreal city councilors introduced a motion to the city to formally request the Government of Canada to support a high-speed rail service. Craig Sauve said it is possible to do so, but it is a question of “political will”.
Alaghbara said on Friday that the proposed high-frequency train system is the best option, but added that he is open to the idea of whether companies are able to offer trains at more than 200 km/h.
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The Transport Minister, however, put forward two conditions. All proposals must respect the allocated budget and cannot exclude any community mentioned in the original plan.
The high-frequency train system means that the Toronto-Montreal trip will take approximately four hours and 10 minutes. According to Alghabra, it shaves for at least 55 minutes.
The rail line is set to provide service between the major centers of Quebec City, Trois-Rivières, Montreal, Ottawa, Peterborough and Toronto.
, Global News’ With files from Tim Sargent and Kalina Laframboise
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