The mayor of Kapuskasing wants the province to start planning beyond the resumption of the Northland Passenger train in 2026.
Dave Plourde wrote a letter to Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sakaria asking for an extension to the train from Cochrane through to Hearst.
“Now we recognize it’s going to happen,” he said. “So where do we fit in that big plan and I think that is where we see ourselves. And I think that is important that we get the message out there and make the request and see what goes on from there.”
Plourde adds that would help with economic growth, tourism and improve quality of life.
“For any appointment that’s necessary,” he said. “Back in the day we used the rail out of Cochrane at the time, quite frequently and my family did. We recognize how nice it is to travel on rail and how people in northern Ontario would be well served by to have rail door to door throughout northern Ontario.”
Plourde says extending the passenger train along the Highway 11 Corridor would significantly enhance safety on Highway 11 and be a better travel option for people who often face barriers to long distance travel.
