(BlackburnNews.com file photo)(BlackburnNews.com file photo)
Sarnia

Chamber pushing for high frequency rail

One VIA Rail passenger train in and out of Sarnia each day isn't enough to service the area.

That's according to the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce which is advocating for high-frequency rail in the city.

The recommendation is part of the Ontario Chamber's policy report calling on the provincial government to develop a long-term transportation plan.

Right now, there's a train leaving the city at 6 a.m., and one arriving at 10 p.m.

Chamber President Shirley de Silva said more trains with fewer cars would be beneficial for everyone. She said it would ease congestion on area highways, lower emissions, and free up the movement of freight.

"Transportation is really a critical backbone to our economy," said de Silva. "It's one of the reasons why the findings and recommendations that are in this report are so important to us here in Sarnia and to our future as well. Fifty per cent of Ontario businesses view transportation infrastructure as critical to their competitiveness."

Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce on Christina Street. December 6, 2018. (Photo by Colin Gowdy, BlackburnNews) Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce on Christina Street. 

A recent chamber survey found 60 per cent of Ontario businesses rated existing transportation infrastructure as fair or poor.

They say a lot of it was built in the 1950s or 1960s and is nearing the end of its useful life.

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