A Strong Call from Eastern Ontario.
Stronger together for passenger rail in the 401 corridor.
We are calling on the Government of Canada to study a least-harm, greatest-good alignment for modern passenger rail within or closer to the 401 corridor.
What We Stand For
Clear principles for Eastern Ontario’s passenger rail future.
CTA only supports Alto in the future if there is a stop in Kingston and if Alto is routed along the 401 corridor in Eastern Ontario.
Modern, reliable passenger rail service is required in Eastern Ontario now, long before the mid-2030s.
The real nation building project at this time for millions of people is to build a dedicated passenger rail track in the 401 corridor as soon as possible.
This is an economic imperative for productivity, freight capacity, defence strategy, industrial strategy, regional health care, research and development, resiliency, and food security.
Eastern Ontario deserves reliable passenger rail that serves established economic and population centres and respects freight needs.
Alto is currently in study stage and does not yet have a business plan.
Alto has not received final Government of Canada approval.
Federal funding to date supports study of potential routes only.
A final investment decision is not expected until approximately 2029.
Even if approved, construction in Eastern Ontario would not begin until the mid-2030s.
Eastern Ontario requires modern, reliable passenger rail service now, and a 401 corridor alignment deserves proper engineering and technical study before it is excluded.
National interest projects should unify people, not divide them.
Canada’s true nation-building project should be a new track with faster passenger rail service in the 401 corridor that would have the least impact on the environment and livelihoods, and maximum benefit to Kingston and key regional economic and population centres which require urban population servicing.
The Corridor Train Alliance is a coalition of municipalities, institutions, landowners, businesses, and citizens across eastern Ontario who believe this approach deserves proper study.
Dedicated Track Is Required
Modern passenger rail needs a dedicated train track.
Reliable passenger rail cannot be delivered on shared freight lines.
People want to take the train and want to continue to support VIA, but on-time rates are now nearly 0% in this corridor. Ridership struggles because trains do not run on schedule. People need reliability.
Canada’s stated ambitions include expanding the Port of Montreal and increasing exports of commodities and manufactured products. Goods and supply volumes on the CN freight rail line and along the 401 are increasing each year.
The freight rail line is needed for freight transportation in this busy part of Canada.
Passenger rail and freight rail must be separated.
Dedicated passenger rail track is essential.
Why the 401 Corridor Must Be Studied
The 401 corridor is eastern Ontario’s established infrastructure spine.
It serves Kingston, Belleville, Brockville, and surrounding communities. It supports Queen’s University, the Royal Military College, Kingston Health Sciences Centre network and regional hospitals, Canadian Forces Base Kingston, Canadian Forces Base Trenton, and a wide network of colleges, businesses, and industry, including a number of industrial parks.
Kingston is underserved with transportation despite proven ridership and is the economic hub of Southeastern Ontario.
Urban attractiveness and tourism are strengthened by proximity to lakes, farms, and internationally designated sensitive ecosystems. Our rural communities are valued and respected for agriculture, food production, recreation, undeveloped areas, and the inherent value of protecting nature, wildlife, and important watersheds.
Locating modern passenger rail within or closer to the 401 corridor:
Builds on existing infrastructure
Serves where more people live
Reinforces established economic centres
Minimizes new fragmentation of farmland
Minimizes fragmentation of ecologically sensitive lands, wildlife corridors, and important natural areas
Delivers maximum public benefit with least environmental impact
A 401 corridor alignment deserves proper engineering and technical study before it is excluded.
The Current Rural Diversion Lacks Social License
A high-speed train dividing rural communities, natural areas, lakes, critical wildlife habitat, and working farms is not acceptable.
Rural landowners are speaking up.
Business leaders are speaking up.
Citizens are speaking up.
The Kingston business, health care, university, and military community need reliable train service in Kingston, not a distant drive north.
The Alto proposed routes in rural areas north of the 401 do not have social license.
National interest projects should bring people together. They should not remove service from established centres or create unnecessary division.
A Constructive Regional Solution
Government policy makers require solutions.
The Corridor Train Alliance is advancing a principled framework:
Federal funding for dedicated passenger rail track
A track in or near the 401 corridor where infrastructure already exists
A west-east line through Kingston and the region
Input from regional municipalities on route design
Deference to engineering expertise on exact alignment, limited stops, and optimal speed
Reliable, on-time service
Least impact on natural areas and productive farmland
Time is of the essence.
We speak with one strong voice advocating for modern, best possible speed rail in the 401 corridor area from:
Cities and townships in eastern Ontario
Organizations including environmental, land trust, and agricultural groups
Institutions including universities, colleges, hospitals, and military
Business and industry
Stronger together.
How You Can Participate
The Corridor Train Alliance respects and values all public engagement on this important issue.
Support
Add your name to demonstrate regional alignment.
Donate
Help fund outreach and a professional campaign to communicate with government.
Volunteer
Assist with municipal engagement, stakeholder coordination, and community outreach.
Sign up for updates as this initiative develops.