Talking About VIARail Train 651 At The County

Article by Valerie MacDonald News Now Network

Lobbying continues at all government levels to put the computer train, VIA 651, back on the track linking Northumberland to Toronto— with a rally this Friday, and meeting with VIA next week.

Northumberland’s Economic Development Director Dan Borowec and Communications Director Kate Campbell updated the economic development committee members on Sept. 7 about the finalized report and details to be shared during the rally at 2 p.m. this Friday at the Cobourg VIA rail station, as she said “pressure” mounts to return the train to service.

The VIA 651 train taking commuters from Cobourg and Port Hope to Union Station, before it was cancelled during the pandemic, picked up passengers in Cobourg at 7:00 am and 7:10, respectively.

The rally has been organized by MP Philip Lawrence and MPP David Piccini, the committee was told, and Piccini will be meeting with them and VIA next week.

The new report itemizing the need for VIA 651 will also be contained in a meeting request letter going to the CEO of VIA, Campbell said.

In addition to this transportation push, the official launch of the Commuter Connect bus system in Northumberland, linking to the Oshawa GO station, is set for Sept 12. Over 1,200 survey responses were received about the need for this service, Borowec said.

In other committee news, planner Dwayne Campbell (no relationship to Kate Campbell) and Borowec talked about the increased building permits and construction underway in the county and the need to hire a new inspector (which would, if council agrees, be paid for by service fees and not a levy increase in next year’s budget). There has been unprecedented growth throughout the County, Dwayne Campell said.

And Tourism Manager Eileen Lum provided an in-depth presentation about a series of programs and efforts promoting tourism throughout Northumberland including those such as provided by Westben’s “Sounds of Music”, linking wellness, music and nature.

Businesses are given support to develop new attractions such as these and the deadline for the next program of support is Sept. 18, she said.

Lum also referred to the upcoming creation of new bicycle repair stations that will be in each municipality as a way to support cycling and market the cycling routes and other opportunities in Northumberland County.

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