MUSKOKA — A Muskoka group is promoting an old-fashioned solution to modern-day travel problems.
Last month the Committee Promoting Muskoka Rail Travel (CPMRT) met with Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller and Michael Gravelle, Ontario minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, to push for increased train use in Muskoka.
“It went very well. In fact, far better than we thought it would,” said Dave Powley, committee member and president of the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce. “He (Gravelle) was very supportive and very receptive of our efforts to improve train travel through Muskoka via the Ontario Northlander.”
Powley and Lucille Frith, president of the Huntsville Train Station Society, attended the meeting, which was arranged by Miller, with the goal of increasing the frequency of trains through Muskoka. The Ontario Northlander passenger train is operated by a provincial Crown corporation and CPMRT is hoping the minister will see the benefit of a revamped train schedule.
The train currently runs from Union Station in Toronto to Muskoka and destinations further north on Friday morning. Powley and others would like to see a train headed to Muskoka later in the day.
“The big thing is a train coming up at least as far as North Bay on Friday evening … leaving Toronto at roughly 6 p.m.,” said Powley. “If you can have a train available for people who work downtown, or who catch the train in north Toronto, Vaughan (or) the Markham area, they can park their cars there or go by public transit and be in Muskoka by 7:30 or 8 p.m. on Friday.”
Powley said he’s hopeful that passengers could then be picked up by family or friends who are already in the area.
Likewise, the group would like to see the Sunday train bumped back slightly from its scheduled Bracebridge departure time of 4:10 p.m.
“Just make it a little bit later. Make it 6:30 (p.m.), and that would give people time to have a nice full Sunday at the cottage or the resort,” he said.
Powley claims the Northlander receives a significant amount of funding from the federal government, which is specifically earmarked for the Muskoka area but isn’t being used to benefit Muskoka to any degree.
“We’re not getting our money’s worth,” he said.
Powley said the Northlander could use that money to market Muskoka as a destination. “People need to be made more aware … that the train stops in Washago, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville and then through South River,” he said. “If you stood on a Bracebridge street corner and asked 10 people, seven of them probably wouldn’t know you can actually get on the train here in Muskoka. That has to do with marketing.”
Powley said increased train traffic into Muskoka would be good for business, and he has already heard support for the idea from fellow chamber members.
With the increasing lines of bumper-to-bumper traffic headed north on the weekends, and the ever-rising price of gas, Powley said now is the time to promote the train as an effective alternative.
Powley said the trip from Bracebridge to Union Station takes roughly an hour and three-quarters, and the price is only a few dollars more than the bus.
“They aren’t far apart,” he said. “The thing is that’s it is much more comfortable to travel on the train. Not only can you get up and move around, but they also have a food service car where you can get sandwiches, hamburgers and even a beer.”
According to Powley, Minister Gravelle indicated he would encourage a meeting between CPMRT and the executive of Ontario Northland.
Powley said he will also be seeking letters of endorsement for increased rail service from the Chamber of Commerce and Bracebridge town council.