Brantford commuters take aim at VIA Rail to bring back Train 82

Protestors rallied on Saturday at the Brantford train station to call for the reinstatement of Train 82.

It was the early morning train that got people to work in Toronto, but was suspended when ridership dropped off during the pandemic.

Commuters now have to find another way to get to work and the say the two and a half hour commute one way is too much.

“Its unsustainable for me to drive, to have a two and a-half hour commute each way,” a commuter said. “I can’t do it, I’m burned out.”

Brantford-Brant Member of Parliament Larry Brock says quiet diplomacy hasn’t worked. He and the mayor are now going to take their case directly to the head of Via Rail in Montreal. They say COVID measures are over and they want their train service back.

Via Rail told CHCH News that “the lack of rolling stock is the core reason we have been unable to resume our full schedule.” 

The company says it is rebuilding its car inventory and that will allow the return of some services, including Train 82 and 83. They hope to have more positive news to share soon.