Perth Wellington's MP says the province's proposed high speed train service will benefit large urban centres at the expense of rural areas like Stratford and St.Marys.
Gary Schellenberger question's the logic of having taxpayers put up billions of dollars to finance a transportation plan that only benefits urban commuters who already have numerous transit options.
He questions why Perth Wellington is being ignored for expanded GO Rail Service.
The provincial minister of transportation has so far evaded that question, and ignored the damaging effects GO service changes will have on the viability of VIA Rail service.
Schellenberger says he has worked with VIA for decades to protect the service in his riding, but VIA relied on high urban ridership to support rural trains in Stratford and St. Marys.
He says local residents suffered when Via had to cancel it's early morning train because GO expanded service to Kitchener.
He says future high speed trains that ignore small towns will make things worse by leaving local commuters without any transportation option at all.
‘‘Rail transportation is an important part of our history and an integral part of our future. I will continue to call on the Liberal government of Ontario to respect the transportation needs of our communities,’’ says Schellenberger .
