The provincially owned Northlander practice between Toronto and northern Ontario is about to make a comeback.
Operated by the provincially owned Ontario Northland Railway, the practice service was discontinued in 2012 and changed with buses. Nevertheless it’s
with expanded service and new trains.
The route will embody 16 stops in complete: Toronto’s Union Station, Langstaff, Gormley, Washago, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, South River, North Bay, Temagami, Temiskaming Shores, Englehart, Kirkland Lake, Matheson, Timmins and Cochrane.
The fully-accessible trains will embody wheelchair lifts, huge aisles, braille signage for key options, audio and visible onboard bulletins, and accessible washrooms. These facilities ought to make it interesting to a broader vary of travellers, together with
households, seniors and folks with disabilities
.
The trains will even have options akin to energy retailers and USB charging at each seat, Wi-Fi, areas for bicycles, and a wide range of seating choices, together with single-row seats and pods for teams.
Because the service was cancelled,
municipalities and Indigenous communities in northern Ontario
have repeatedly known as for its return. The service is anticipated to ultimately transport between 40,000 and 60,000 riders a 12 months.
How have individuals in northern Ontario reacted to the relaunch?
At a 2025 Northeastern Municipal Convention, Ontario Northland CEO Chad Evans introduced the brand new period of the Northlander, reviews
including that the announcement was met with enthusiasm from lots of of delegates.
The brand new service is anticipated to be a big enchancment, providing a
safer and extra dependable different to highway journey
particularly in harsh northern climate circumstances.
Surveys performed within the area point out
for the return of passenger rail, with many residents expressing intent to make use of it. Indigenous communities have proven sturdy curiosity because of the affordability in comparison with automotive possession.
At neighborhood data occasions and open homes, individuals have expressed sturdy enthusiasm and help for the practice’s comeback, with many trying ahead to the comfort and connectivity it can present, reviews the
.
Residents, staff and guests can have a journey choice
connecting northern communities with main centres like Toronto
. That is particularly essential for individuals who can not or want to not drive, and for accessing important providers akin to hospitals and specialised care, situated removed from smaller communities.
What has the web response proven?
People are sharing their anticipation on-line about journey alternatives.
Promotional video for the Northlander practice, coming 2026
by
u/northernwaterchild in
toronto
Social media posts from Ontario Northland
mirror enthusiasm amongst residents.
What is going to the relaunch imply for northern Ontario communities?
Residents anticipate the relaunch to be a step towards
revitalizing communities and supporting regional ambitions
for development and improved high quality of life.
The Northlander’s relaunch is anticipated to considerably enhance tourism in northern Ontario by making the area extra accessible, handy and engaging to guests from throughout Ontario and past.
are getting ready to revive and develop packages and experiences that have been beforehand standard when the practice was operating, akin to “rails, trails and ales” excursions that mix practice journey with native points of interest, breweries and out of doors actions.
The brand new service will enable
— particularly these from the GTA and worldwide guests arriving at Pearson Airport — to achieve northern locations without having to drive or lease a automotive.
The
Ontario authorities and tourism organizations are investing in advertising
and increasing tourism choices to leverage the improved transportation hyperlink. The practice will make it simpler for individuals to attend festivals, cultural occasions and out of doors actions in northern Ontario, elevating the area’s profile as a vacation spot.
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