Quebec City–Windsor Corridor (Via Rail)

The Quebec City–Windsor Corridor (French: Ligne de Québec à Windsor), also known as Ontario–Québec or The Corridor, is a Via Rail passenger rail service operating in the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario. It is Via Rail's busiest service area, accounting for 81% of its revenue and 95% of its ridership.

History

Prior to Via's formation in 1978, Canadian National Railway operated its passenger trains, branded Rapido, on the same tracks and Canadian Pacific Railway (now Canadian Pacific Kansas City) also offered limited service.

High-speed proposal

During the 1970s and early 1980s, CN and later Via Rail operated the Turbo Train on existing freight rail trackage. This equipment was later replaced by the Bombardier LRC (Light, Rapid, Comfortable) train sets. Beginning in the 1980s and through the 1990s, Via Rail, Bombardier and the provincial and federal governments studied the feasibility of establishing a dedicated high-speed passenger rail network linking Quebec City–Montreal–Ottawa–Toronto–Windsor similar to the French TGV as a means of reducing domestic air and highway travel between these destinations.

After a hiatus of ten years, a feasibility study on launching a high-speed rail service in the Corridor will be updated at the joint cost of the federal government, Ontario and Quebec. On November 14, 2011, the three governments officially released the final report of a high-speed rail study for this corridor.

2009–2010 improvements

In 2009–2010, Via used CA$300 million of government stimulus money to upgrade segments of the Corridor. Notable track improvements were 70 km (43 mi) of additional third main track in four segments, and a short segment of fourth main track, as well as additional yard tracks at three locations.