Toronto’s Regional Rail Network

Extraordinary transportation growth is taking place in the region of Ontario as part of a plan to grow the economy and create jobs. Over the next 10 years Ontario is investing $31.5 billion in roads, bridges and trains in order to build an integrated regional transportation network. The most exciting aspect of this is centered on the expansion of the GO network, Toronto’s equivalent to Metra, and increased frequency along these routes.

On Tuesday four new GO train stations were announced as the latest addition to Toronto’s larger plan to transform the network. This plan involves electrification and 15-minute interval service throughout the day on 5 of the 7 GO transit lines. It would include 93 miles of new passenger rail dedicated track, elimination of grade crossings and new and upgraded stations. Read more about the project here.

This is similar to MHSRA’s CrossRail Chicago concept, which proposes the electrification of two Metra lines in order to provide a fast, frequent and dependable service. This is a tremendous undertaking that will allow Metra to play a larger role, expand it’s market share and meet the needs of the region’s citizens. Both CrossRail Chicago and Toronto’s GO Rail expansion have the added benefit of setting the stage for true high-speed rail service. Chicago should look at Toronto as an example for how to create a better regional rail network.

Best,

Dylan Hayward
Program Manager

Last Week at MHSRA:

Midwest High Speed Rail Association members joined Representative Bustos in asking the state of Illinois to move forward with the Quad Cities-Chicago passenger rail project.

This week the Illinois Department of Transportation notified the federal government that they will indeed move forward with the project.

You can read Representative Bustos’ letter to the governor here.

Articles We Enjoyed:

Revamped Metra Electric could put South Side on the Fast Track
“A newly formed coalition wants the Metra Electric rail line to be reinvented to better serve the low-income communities it runs through, connecting riders to jobs and spurring economic development.”

Bullet Train Connecting Houston to Dallas Expected to Break Ground Next Year
Texas Central continues to build momentum as the private company works towards constructing a high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston.

Step into the Huge Factory Forging America’s Fancy New Trains
“The Siemens factory near Sacramento, California, is building some of the most modern, high tech, high speed trains to hit US rails.”

Rebuilt Concourse Pulls into Intermodal Station
“The $22 million project took 18 months to complete. Speaking Wednesday morning at the intermodal station…various state and local officials heralded the project as a long-needed renovation of an important gateway to the city.”

Upcoming Events:

Japan High-Speed Rail Tour

Join us this September to discover how Japan’s high speed network relates to the future of high speed rail in the United States. We will ride the world’s first high speed line, Japans newest and fastest high speed trains and enjoy the sights in Tokyo and Kyoto.

Call the Society of International Railway Travelers at 800-478-4881 to reserve your spot before it’s too late.

Please click here to learn more about the trip

Brown bag lunch with Stephen Bonina, President of Stadler Trains

When: July 26 at noon
Where: DePaul University, 14 East Jackson Blvd, 16th Floor – Dublin Room, Chicago, IL

2016 Fall Luncheon

When: September 16
Where: Maggianos, 516 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Details to be announced soon.