Premier Doug Ford is riding the train today and trumpeting the return of the service that will include stops in nearby Washago and Gravenhurst
Premier Doug Ford is riding the rails today.
Ford was in North Bay to ride the new Northlander and talk about the return of the service.
In concert with Ford’s media event, the province has released the fares for the Northlander once it returns to service, with prices set at approximately 10 per cent above the standard rate of travel on the existing Ontario Northland bus service.
“This price is designed to be competitive and accessible, while reflecting the cost of operating a more reliable and consistent passenger rail service,” says a news release.
“When I saw the fares, I thought, boy, this is economic,” Ford stated during Thursday’s media conference.
“They have discounts for everything from veterans to seniors to families. They priced it very competitively, and what I’ve seen, it’s about 10 per cent more than a bus ride. And I love the buses, but, man, if you have a choice between that bus and this? Night and day,” said Ford.
A ticketing platform will be available closer to launch so passengers can book travel in advance and access the lowest fares, says the release.
More information about the Northlander’s fare structure is available on Ontario Northland.
The anticipated launch fares for the Northlander passenger rail service are listed below. These are standard one-way fares, with discounted rates available for:
- Seniors
- Students
- Military personnel
- Passengers travelling for medical purposes, as well as their attendants
Route
Adult
Senior (65+)
Student
Child (2-12)
Toronto to Timmins to Cochrane
$188.40
$160.14
$160.14
$94.20
Toronto to Timmins
$181.67
$154.42
$154.42
$90.84
Toronto to North Bay
$109.70
$93.25
$93.25
$54.85
North Bay to Timmins
$108.94
$92.60
$92.60
$54.47
Toronto to Gravenhurst
$66.97
$56.92
$56.92
$33.49
“If you’re travelling between Toronto and Timmins in the next few months, keep an eye out as all three trainsets undergo rigorous testing ahead of a return to service later this year,” Ford stated.
One of those test runs recently rumbled through our region.
The Northlander passenger train is scheduled to return this year, 14 years after its 2012 cancellation, to connect Toronto and Timmins, with 16 stops (including stops in Washago and Gravenhurst) and a rail connection to Cochrane.
This Ontario government initiative involves $139.5 million to purchase new Siemens Venture trainsets, aiming to improve northern connectivity, boost tourism, and provide reliable, accessible transportation.
The province has released the anticipated launch fares for the Northlander once it returns to service, with prices set at approximately 10 per cent above the standard rate of travel on the existing Ontario Northland bus service. This price is designed to be competitive and accessible, while reflecting the cost of operating a more reliable and consistent passenger rail service.
This return to service will take place following several months of rigorous testing now taking place along the entire route from Cochrane and Timmins to Union Station in downtown Toronto.
