Alto CEO Martin Imbleau has stated that Kingston, Ontario, is likely to have a stop on the new high-speed rail line connecting Toronto and Quebec City due to significant public demand. Imbleau mentioned that the majority of Alto trains would pass through Kingston, Laval, and Trois-Rivières without stopping to facilitate faster express service between major cities.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon expressed interest in potentially including Kingston in Canada’s inaugural high-speed rail route, emphasizing the city’s importance as the fourth-busiest Via Rail station in the country. Imbleau highlighted that incorporating a stop in Kingston aligns with the feedback received and would be beneficial business-wise, especially for students at Queen’s University.
Prime Minister Mark Carney aims to commence construction on the line within four years. The proposed Toronto-Quebec City route, revealed last year, includes stops in Trois-Rivières, Laval, Montreal, Ottawa, and Peterborough. Alto plans to unveil the specific Montreal-Ottawa route for public input in the fall, with potential adjustments near Montreal’s Mirabel suburb based on local farmer feedback.
Regarding additional stops, Imbleau mentioned that Via Rail could serve smaller communities like Smiths Falls, south of Ottawa, as Alto cannot accommodate all communities and must prioritize efficiency and speed. Despite some opposition along the proposed route, Kingston and the Township of South Frontenac have shown support for the high-speed rail project, particularly if Kingston secures a stop.
The 1,000-kilometer rail line is expected to utilize all-electric trains reaching speeds of 300 km/h, with estimated costs ranging from $60 billion to $90 billion. Mayor Paterson expressed optimism about the progress towards a Kingston stop, emphasizing the ongoing advocacy for the city’s inclusion in the project. Meanwhile, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has criticized the initiative, advocating for tax cuts instead of investing in the high-speed rail system.
In a contrasting stance, the leader of the Parti Québécois proposed withdrawing the province from the Alto project if elected, citing a preference for allocating funds to local transportation initiatives.
