Quote:
Originally Posted by J.OT13
I think that "conclusion" stating the Montréal-Québec HFR is not warranted is a way for the Feds to avoid the expensive Mount-Royal tunnel expansion. Seems to "convenient".
I'd be fine with starting the project with Toronto-Ottawa-Montréal but would want the system to continually expand, with no construction breaks (think Confederation Line and the original transcontinental railway), until it reaches coast-to-coast-to-coast.
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The Montreal-Quebec section was a rather political addition but the route is still well used, probably much more so than southwestern Ontario, where service has been cut in recent years.
Nevertheless, we need to get this going even if it is Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto. Somehow, we need to find a way to speed up service between Montreal and Toronto to get the biggest ridership benefit possible. At this point, that route gets the least benefit, which is disappointing given that they are the two biggest cities.
It might be wise to consider an Ottawa by-pass as part of Phase 1. With only 15 trains per day (one less than today with Ottawa and Montreal combined), surely market growth will allow for express Montreal-Toronto trains while still maintaining 15 trains per day into Ottawa. In the long-run, this produces a better overall network rather than forcing all Montreal bound passengers through Ottawa.
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