“We Will Not Be Derailed!”

Article and images by Bill Hornbostel News Now Network

Commuters, travellers and politicians, some coming from as far away as Kingston, gathered near the train station in Cobourg on Saturday, September 14 to protest against VIA Rail’s lag in reinstating Train 651. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Train 651 served to bring commuters to and from Toronto.

MP Philip Lawrence and MPP David Piccini organized the event, and at the start and end turned the microphone over to people who spoke of the need for the train as workers, business owners, and people needing medical treatment in Toronto. Speakers also talked of not just reinstating Train 651, but also bringing back commuter passes, which made riding the train more affordable.

Lawrence laid out reasons for reinstating the train. “Many of the folks who work here and live here in Cobourg and Port Hope depend on reasonable transportation.” He continued to say that reinstating the commuter train would get more cars off the road and help in the fight for climate change, and that driving on the 401 carries more risk, especially in the winter.

“They have a commitment to providing transportation safe, reasonably cost transportation,” added Lawrence. “They told us when the pandemic was over that we would get full restoration. And we don’t have it.”

“I would like to call upon VIA and the Federal government for three things,” said Lawrence. “One is to have the Minister of Transportation Omar Alghabra down here to answer the questions to talk to the people here… Secondly, I call upon the CEO of VIA to also come down… to an open forum where he can answer questions. It’s pretty easy in a corner office to sit there and make decisions. But let’s come down here and talk to the residents and talk about the challenges… And finally, just get the damn train back!”

Piccini said, “They’ve abandoned our region right here. Their mandate states to provide commuter service, passenger rail for rural, northern, remote communities. Well, this is rural Ontario, and they’ve abandoned us, everybody from Kingston to Belleville, Trenton, Cornwall, all the way down to Toronto.”

“There’s no Ontario without rural Ontario!” said Piccini, and he spoke about his own experience needing VIA to commute to a job in Toronto.

Turning to the investment that Provincial and Federal governments have been making in public transit. “It’s nonsensical, that we would stop – the Federal government and VIA Rail – would stop this reliable commuter service at a time when we’re seeing extreme weather events, when we’re fighting climate change, when, commuter and reliable public transit, when we need it most.”

Northumberland County Deputy Warden and Cramahe Mayor Mandy Martin said, “We will not be derailed!”

“VIA has reinstated almost all services across Canada following the pandemic, but his left Toronto Kingston passengers waiting at our stations,” continued Martin.

Martin spoke about a survey by Northumberland County and the resulting report. “We are being impacted, and we are being hit hard. Some of you are having to choose between unemployment or a costly, time-consuming commute. The Toronto-to-Kingston corridor is growing at a faster rate than the province, and so is our labor force. Our workers want to get to work, businesses need our workers, ridership is stronger than ever and will increase significantly if train 651 returns.” You can read the report at joinin.northumberland.ca/keeping-your-commute-on-track.

Jim Harrison, mayor of Quinte West and member of the Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus, spoke about a conversation with a VIA Rail Board member, who stated the problem was a shortage of equipment. “If that’s the case, I can’t quote how many millions of dollars you have given to VIA Rail over the last year or so, so they’ve got lots of dollars to purchase new equipment.”

“People need to be treated with respect and dignity, yes, but we’re stronger together,” added Harrison. “And that’s exactly what we’re showing here today, the strength of all of us in in letting the government know just how important it is.”

Politicians attending the rally, all running for re-election, included Northumberland County Warden and Trent Hills Mayor Bob Crate, KPRD Board Trustee Jaine Klassen Jeninga, Cobourg Mayor John Henderson, Cobourg Deputy Mayor Suzanne Séguin, Cobourg Councillor Aaron Burchat, and Alnwick-Haldimand Mayor Steve Gilchrist. Also present were Miles Bowman, running for Council in Port Hope, Olena Hankivsky, running for Mayor of Port Hope, running for Council in Cobourg, Randy Barber, running for Council in Cobourg.

Lawrence and Piccini urged the crowd to write to the Federal government about reinstating Train 651, and offered a sign-up sheet to keep up-to-date on the issue.

“We will not rest until we get the commuter pass back and 651 is rolling on its way to Cobourg there!” concluded Lawrence, pointing up the hill to the station.

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