This section is Presented This section was produced by the editorial department. The client was not given the opportunity to put restrictions on the content or review it prior to publication. by HAVEN HOME HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING Kingston locals are needed to voice their opinions to persuade the Crown corporation Alto to add the city into its high-speed rail plans. Jan 19, 2026 • Last updated 2 days ago •
A freight train rolls through Kingston on CN Rail tracks also used by Via Rail passenger trains in Kingston, Ont. on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Photo by Elliot Ferguson /The Whig-Standard
KINGSTON – If residents want a new high-speed rail network in Kingston, now’s the time to speak up.
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Between January and March, Alto-the crown corporation responsible for building a high-speed rail link between Toronto and Quebec City-is asking for public feedback regarding their proposal.
The initial idea featured a general route stretching between Peterborough and Ottawa.
The company has since expressed willingness to explore a southern route that could provide easier access for those traveling to Kingston.
“Alto is proposing that it be north along a section, basically a long stretch of rural Canada, rural Ontario between Ottawa and Peterborough. But now what Alto is saying is saying they’re open to considering another route which goes further south,” Kingston and Islands MP Mark Gerretsen said.
A map of the route options for a proposed high-speed rail line network.Gerretsen stated he’s been advocating for over ten years for Kingston’s inclusion in any new passenger rail service that gets established.
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This has not loaded yet, but your article continuesbelow.<p Articlecontent “We have students cominginand out. Wehave facultyand stafffrom universitiesand colleges. Wehavebusinessowners. We have governmentofficials that arealways jumpingon thentrainin Kingston,”hesaid.“That’s why it’s such abusy, such abusy train stop. “It makes perfectsense , if youwanttocontinue topromotethat, to go withthesouthernroute, because you’regoingtogetmorepeoplegettingonitandthatmeansmorerevenuefor Alto when theyfinally havethethingbuilt.” “It’s ano-brainerand itneeds totakea routemuchfurther souththatgetsascloseto Kingstonaspossible because it’s goingtobethebenefitoftheentirenetwork,”hesaid. Thehigh-speedrailproposalwhichsupplantedahigh-frequencyrailproposalfrom Via Railismeant toimprovetraintravelthrough themostdenselypopulatedpartofthecountryby notonlyincreasingthespeedatthetrains travelbutby separatingpassengerandfreighttrains.This hasnotloaded yet, butyourarticlecontinues below.<p Articlecontent
“Thebiggestproblemthatexistsrightnowontheraillinesthatcome through Kingston, and Ontarioformatter, isthatthey’reownedby CN,”Gerretsensaid.
“CNcontrolsallofthetimewhen Viacanuseitso Via hastoapplyto CN touse therailatcertaintimes. CNapprovesitbut CNalwaysgetstherightofway.”
In2017, Kinston supportedthe Via Rail’s plantodevelopahighfrequencyrailsystemeven though Kinstonwasnottobeontheroute. Instead, Kinstonwasto bea Via Railregionalhubthatwouldprovide aservice improvement. But last year, Kington citycouncil withdrewits supportforexpandedrailserviceineastern Ontariothatdidnotinclude Kington. elferguson<p ArticlecontentSharethisarticleinyoursocialnetwork
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