10-17-2018, 05:28 PM
(10-17-2018, 04:01 PM)Momo26 Wrote: Any word on FAST rapid trains? Those require new tracks right? Or word on electrifying the GO train with express to maybe reduce that GO train ride by at least 20 mins?
High Speed Rail is a controversial proposal likely to die under Rob Ford, which is unfortunate. I can see why 300 km/h trains would be deemed excessive by many, but the bottom line is that it would give us electrified rails dedicated exclusively to passenger service, which is sorely needed to make any significant improvement to the GO/VIA services that we get today. Having CN and CP call the shots on our passenger corridors is torture.
The only thing likely to reduce the ride time in the short term are the improvements currently being made in the west end of Guelph, which in other forums have been said to increase the go-slow order speed from 10 mph to 30 mph. Estimates are that it will take a 5 minute bite out of travel times, but I bet it will feel like more than that. That's just the first round of construction in Guelph though, hopefully next year will see further upgrades with larger effects. There's also the re-signalling initiative in the Union Station Rail Corridor which will probably nip another 5 minutes.
If Doug and company can pull off the freight rail bypass initiative that started under Wynne (and a consortium of municipalities with their Missing Link study before that) to get CN off the Georgetown to Bramalea segment, that should help too, although more with frequency (all day two way to Kitchener plus weekends please!) than speed. Electrification to Kitchener can only follow after that, as CN won't allow wires over any portion of their track. :-(
...K