For further information:
George Mallay, General Manager
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
519-332-1820
mallay@www.sarnialambton.on.ca
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, Board Chair
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
519-332-0330
mayor@sarnia.ca
Budd car study on track
April 9, 2010 – For Immediate Release
City of Sarnia/Lambton County, ON, CDA – A show of support from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) will allow the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership to forge ahead with a business proposal and feasibility study of a Budd Car Passenger Rail Service between Sarnia and London.
The Budd Rail Diesel Car (RDC) is a diesel-hydraulic multiple-unit railcar built in the 1950s and 1960s. Known as Budd cars, these self-propelled railcars have been used for passenger service in lower-traffic rural areas and short-haul commuter services as they are less expensive to operate than locomotive-drawn trains.
“Transportation is a key enabler of economic growth and in providing access to life’s need for medical, social, cultural and recreational services,” says Mayor Mike Bradley, Chair of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership. “A good transportation system is essential to attracting and retaining new residents and businesses. The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is grateful on behalf of the community for the efforts MP Pat Davidson made in having this project approved for funding.”
This summer the Economic Partnership, with the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee and the City of Sarnia, will be working with consulting firm McCormick Rankin Corporation to develop a business proposal and feasibility study of a Budd Car passenger rail service option between Sarnia and London, Ontario.
In 2009 the Partnership, the Chamber and the City worked together with the consulting firm to complete a Passenger Rail Study. A key outcome of the study was the recommendation to examine a Budd car option to enhance passenger rail service between Sarnia and London and, by extension, the GTA.
Sarnia-Lambton has been undergoing a decline in its intercity transportation services. In 2008 the community came together to address this problem with the formation of an Intercity Transportation Task Force. The Task Force, under the umbrella of the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee, has been successful in gaining improvements in service.
In 2008 it commissioned a study to review local air service and was successful in having Air Canada add an additional flight and adjust flight schedules.
Pat Davidson, MP for Sarnia-Lambton, made the announcement of the investment today at Lambton College. FedDev Ontario was created as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan to support economic and community development, innovation, and economic diversification.
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Posted in: SLEP News