Transport Action Atlantic was enthusiastic when VIA Rail announced it was studying the use of short-haul trains in the Maritimes.
The lobby group says self-propelled diesel rail cars were proposed for routes such as between Moncton and Halifax or Moncton and Campbellton.
President Ted Bartlett says these rail cars haven’t been used in the region for many years and there has been some resistance.
“CN owns the tracks and they seem to be quite reluctant to allow the self-propselled rail diesel cars back on their tracks again,” he notes.
Bartlett suggests VIA Rail should seek another option to provide this service by using more conventional rail cars.
If short-haul trains did return, VIA Rail indicates it may scale back long-haul service even further between Montreal and Halifax which is something Transport Action Atlantic doesn’t support.
