Calls continue for Via Rail to get train 651 back on track.
A newly-released survey of riders in the affected region suggests that if the service were restored, ridership would be higher than pre-pandemic levels.
“Our report confirms that 96% of pre-covid users would return to this service, with 31% of all survey respondents identifying as new users eager to access this service. The data suggests that if VIA Train 651 returns, ridership levels will be stronger than pre-pandemic use,” said Northumberland Councillor Bob Sanderson in a release.
The report titled The Case for Getting VIA Train 651 Back on Track: A report on the critical importance of commuter train services for a growing Eastern Ontario, was conducted between July 7 and August 5.
Over 2,800 residents took part in the survey.
Brighton Mayor Brian Ostrander says he’s not surprised about the results.
The former train 651 was a commuter rail service running from Kingston to Toronto, and was suspended during the COVID lockdowns due to low ridership.
While many passenger services disrupted during COVID have resumed, train 651 has not.
Ostrander says it’s not just workers who rely on the route.
Kingston, Belleville, Quinte West, Northumberland County and Hastings County are urging VIA Rail and the federal minister of transport, to act on reinstating the service.
