A recent pledge by the federal government to address passenger rail service in the region is being met with skepticism.
Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu said although she is hopeful that the gap in rail service and connectivity will be addressed, she's concerned the recent announcement is just "electioneering".
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra was in London on Wednesday to announce a study that would look at reliable rail service along the Toronto-London-Sarnia-Windsor corridor. However, specific details such as a timeline and estimated cost were not available.
"At this stage it's not clear that anything will happen in Sarnia-Lambton so we'll have to wait and see," said Gladu.
The local MP said she is well aware of the gap in transit services after being named co-chair of the Parliamentary Rail Caucus in 2016.
Gladu said although many studies have been done to address transit concerns, there has been little to no action.
"In the six years that I've been there, the Liberals have done nothing to address the gap," she said.
In 2015, VIA Rail announced plans to increase passenger service in Sarnia. However, two years later, Sarnia's mayor said that announcement was premature.
"Trials were done with VIA Rail to look at taking smaller cars and shuttling them back and forth from Sarnia to London and they took a long time for the trials and then after the trials, there was no decision taken as far as putting more things into play," said Gladu.
She also said suggestions to then shuttle passengers from Wyoming never took form.
"Nothing ever transpired from that and we've heard crickets until this latest announcement," she said. "Along with many announcements that [the Liberals] are making, it makes people suspicious that perhaps it's electioneering."
Gladu said she would like to see a concrete plan put in place that specifies different routes and improves connectivity.