The train to Peterborough from Toronto is one of the best public transportation decisions that the federal government has done in years, NOT. Come to think about it, it may be true. What has this federal government done for public transit, next to nothing. So if they are willing to put money into public transit then it would be a good change of heart. But the choice, could they be more wrong.
To begin with the train that went to Peterborough would not even fit with most people's standards of trains. They were cars that were self propelled, yes the train was around 3 cars long max. This means that only a few people were taking it when it was still in place, and VIA does not even really use that type of train anymore, it is not worth the investment. Along with that GO transit looked into if they should run trains, or even buses, to Peterborough. The study showed that they would not even make the money back if they only used buses. Did the federal government even look at the reasons why there were no trains going to Peterborough.
That gets me to my next point: it was political decision, nothing else. The minister of Finance just happens to live and run in one of the ridings that the train would go through. Why would the minister not support the local community by wasting tons of money. As well destroy people's positive view of public transit. This reminds me of the O-Train, another minister destroyed a real, viable public transit development because the minister did not like the local politicians. Why will the federal government stop interfering in the lives of the cities and instead help them, by funding and support.
To begin with the train that went to Peterborough would not even fit with most people's standards of trains. They were cars that were self propelled, yes the train was around 3 cars long max. This means that only a few people were taking it when it was still in place, and VIA does not even really use that type of train anymore, it is not worth the investment. Along with that GO transit looked into if they should run trains, or even buses, to Peterborough. The study showed that they would not even make the money back if they only used buses. Did the federal government even look at the reasons why there were no trains going to Peterborough.
That gets me to my next point: it was political decision, nothing else. The minister of Finance just happens to live and run in one of the ridings that the train would go through. Why would the minister not support the local community by wasting tons of money. As well destroy people's positive view of public transit. This reminds me of the O-Train, another minister destroyed a real, viable public transit development because the minister did not like the local politicians. Why will the federal government stop interfering in the lives of the cities and instead help them, by funding and support.
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