Tourism Kingston lobbying for high-speed rail to stop in the city

Alto is holding public consultations and Tourism Kingston wants people to make themselves heard on the matter.

Tourism Kingston is launching a campaign in an effort to have the Limestone City included in any high-speed rail plans.

Alto is holding public consultations on their plan to install train service between Toronto and Quebec City. There will be stops along the 1,000-km route: Trois-Rivieres, Montreal, Laval, Ottawa, and Peterborough.

There are no plans to have a stop in Kingston along the proposed route. But there is a map on their website that shows an alternate route where the train will cross an area approximately 40 to 50 kms north of Kingston. 

In a news release, Tourism Kingston are actively working with provincial and federal partners to advocate adding a stop in Kingston, or one that is close to the city. 

They say access to high-speed rail is critical for business travel, tourism growth, event attraction, workforce mobility, and regional competitiveness, strengthening connections to key markets and supporting sustained economic activity. 

Part of the public consultation process is an online survey. Tourism Kingston is encouraging those who live and work in the city to fill it out and make their voices heard.

The online survey is available on the Alto website until March 29.

Story by Ken Hashizume