Private sector at high-frequency train controls | The opposition is demanding accountability from the Trudeau government

The future is tied to the high frequency train (TGF) ambiguity, with opposition parties asking the Trudeau government to explain why it would allow the private sector to determine the charges and timetables for this important project.

Julian Arsenal
Press

Ottawa wants to hand over to Crown Corporation a “partner” in the operation of the VIA Rail Rail, which runs on a reserved corridor between Quebec and Toronto, which is highly congested and profitable. Press This scene appeared while reading a request to express interest – a document of about 75 pages that had been quietly distributed over the past few days. No other options are considered.

Alexandre Bouleris, deputy leader of the New Democratic Party, confirmed, “We are told that ‘. Have any comparative studies been done? Have you studied other solutions? We need answers. ⁇

At a news conference in Montreal on March 9, Federal Transport Minister Omar Algabra was limited to inviting the private sector into the adventure without giving further details.

The plan provides for the transfer of all VIA train services in the Quebec City-Toronto corridor to a revenue-raising subsidiary. She has her point of view from all angles. If there are respectable guidelines for charges and timetables, details are not provided.

Asked Press, Transportation planning experts were shocked by the lack of details describing the Ottawa option. The model of a private company operating a public transport network exists elsewhere in the world.

Mr. Algabra did not elaborate on why this option was preferred. In an email on Friday, his cabinet was limited to saying that the TGF was “the largest public transport infrastructure project” in Canadian history and that it should be “properly completed”.

Many concerns

For VIA train employees, most questions remain unanswered. Everything suggests they could be transferred to a new entity or end up with a retaining partner by Ottawa.

Transport Canada has stated that there will be no “VIA train privatization” operating on intercity routes across the country.

“We want any agreement with a private sector partner to respect collective agreements and interests, to demonstrate how the partner will work with VIA Rail employees and unions and to ensure that current employees benefit from the employment opportunities offered by the project,” Minister Algabra said. Office.

According to its most recent annual report, VIA Railways employs approximately 2,800 full-time workers.

“The failure of the Liberal government to provide meaningful information on how the high-frequency rail corridor of VIA Rail will be built and maintained does not inspire confidence that this commitment will be fulfilled,” said Melissa Lant‌man of the Conservative Party, a transportation official.

The TGF runs on reserved railway tracks, which are not currently available. Trains run at a speed of 200 km per hour, which leads to profits on all routes. Montreal-Quebec currently takes place at 2 hours 55 minutes or 3 hours rather than 3 hours 24 minutes.

After mentioning the $ 6 to $ 12 billion budget for the TGF last summer, Mr Algabra said he would not go ahead. So the bill is likely to be higher, but the minister no longer wants to talk about the calculations.