Train 82 will soon be back on track for Brantford and area commuters.
The VIA Rail commuter train that served the Windsor to Toronto corridor and stopped in Brantford was canceled during the pandemic. But a local effort to have the train reinstated appears to have paid off.
Mario Peloquin, the president and CEO of VIA, announced June 29 that the train will be renewed, likely in the fall.
“Our voices were finally heard and our persistence paid off,” Brantford-Brant MP Larry Brock said in a media release. “Thank you to the residents and commuters who stood with us to fight for the return of Train 82.
“We achieved the result we were hoping for.”
Brock made the comments after a CTV report said it appears Train 82 will be reinstated.
The train was a popular way for Brantford and area residents to get to work in Toronto. The rally was part of a year long campaign to get the train back on track.
The VIA rail announcement comes just a week after more than 75 people attended a rally led by Brock and Mayor Kevin Davis at the train station calling for the reinstatement of Train 82.
“This is very exciting news for residents in Brantford who rely on route 82,” said Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis, who is continuing joint efforts with MPP Will Bouma to bring GO Transit to Brantford.
Bouma was pleased to hear that the train will be reinstated.
“It’s exciting to see that local efforts have paid off,” Bouma said. “Train 82 is extremely important to the people of Brantford Brant.
“It helps a lot of people get to work in Toronto and it helps keep vehicles off the road.”
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