Northlander train begins final testing before service resumes this year

The return of passenger rail service connecting northern Ontario to the south took another step forward Thursday, as the Northlander began full testing of the routes and all systems needed before the trains are relaunched.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford was in North Bay on April 9 to mark the latest phase of the return of passenger rail service 14 years after it was cancelled by the previous government.

The process involves “several months of rigorous testing now taking place along the entire route from Cochrane and Timmins to Union Station in downtown Toronto,” the province said in a news release.

“When it returns to service later this year, the Northlander will connect people across northern Ontario to life-changing opportunities, school, vital medical appointments and more, while strengthening local towns and industries along the entire route, creating good jobs and economic growth across the north for years to come,” Ford said in the release.

Testing of the first trainset includes more than 1,600 kilometres of trial runs in conditions that simulate regular service. The train will soon enter the next phase of testing and commissioning, known as revenue service demonstration, the province said.

Test runs

“During this phase of testing, Ontario Northland will train staff on the equipment, run emergency exercises, test schedules and make sure all safety and operating systems are working properly along the full Northlander route,” the release said.

“This phase will simulate normal operations, including station stops and announcements, before the line opens to the public.”

The second trainset has arrived in Ontario and will soon begin its own testing and commissioning along the Northlander corridor.

An exact date when the service will resume will be announced in the coming months as testing proceeds.

“The province has also released anticipated fares at launch, which are approximately 10 per cent above the standard rate of travel on the existing Ontario Northland bus service,” the release said.

“This price is designed to be competitive and accessible, while reflecting the cost of operating a more reliable and consistent passenger rail service.”

A trip from Toronto to Timmins and Cochrane will cost just more than $188 for adults, $160 for students and $94 for children. The full price list can be found here.

The Northlander will travel 740 km between Timmins and Toronto, with a rail connection to Cochrane, for a total of 16 stops.

In addition to restoring train service, the province is also promoting the development of local rideshare services, since many northern communities don’t have transit or taxi services.

Encouraging rideshare in remote areas

“To help address this, the Ontario government introduced the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act that would establish a Northern Rideshare Framework to support the growth of rideshare services in communities along the Northlander corridor,” the release said.

“The framework would give municipalities the tools to support local rideshare services, while helping inform a future provincewide approach.”

Each trainset has 169 seats, including accessible seating, wide aisles, accessible washrooms and charging ports.

The province has invested more than $100 million in rail infrastructure north of North Bay to support the return of Northlander passenger rail service.

Final stages

“With this final stage of testing and commissioning underway, our government is officially on track to deliver reliable and affordable Northlander rail service later this year,” Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli said in the release.

“This new transportation corridor will make a real impact on the lives of families and workers across northern Ontario by expanding access to new economic opportunity and health care services, and we could not be more proud or excited to see it in action.”

“The Northlander is about increasing access and opportunity for Northerners,” said Timmins MPP George Pirie.

“This milestone brings us one step closer to reconnecting our communities with reliable passenger rail, making it easier to travel and stay connected across the North. This service will play a key role in connecting people to jobs, services and opportunities while supporting long-term economic growth across the North.”