August 13, 2014

Connecting with the Ocean

Everytime I take the Ocean to visit family, I shudder to think that the train would be very late and miss my connection at Campbellton with the Orleans Express bus. Coming back the bus needs only to be one hour late and there goes the train without me. And I am not alone, increasingly I see more passengers using this not guaranteed connection. So I decided to write a letter.

August 13, 2014

The Honourable Robert Poëti
Minister of Transport

Dear Mr Minister,

Since Via Rail has abandoned the Gaspe coast, there has to be another alternative to providing intercity passenger transportation that is safe, comfortable, and convenient for everybody. There needs to be a through ticketing connection with the Montreal to Halifax train. Currently, one can take the Orleans Express bus from or to Campbellton but the connection to the train is not guaranteed and the two terminals are 1 km apart.

As you know, Keolis has applied to the Commission des transports du Québec to drastically cut its service in the region. If their proposed cuts are adopted the evening bus to Rimouski would be eliminated and so would the connection to the train going west.

It is not certain that VIA Rail will return to the Gaspe even when the infrastructure is upgraded. In the meantime we need through ticketing and a guaranteed connection to the train. This has to be a made in Québec solution, as the mobility of its people is Québec’s responsibility.

Yours sincerely,

Barry Brake
Montreal, QC

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The Gaspé Spec