The working group that secured a one-year reprieve for Algoma Central Railway’s Hearst-to-Sault Ste. Marie passenger line is now seeking interest from third-party firms to operate the service.
A request for expressions of interest was issued Sept. 3, and firms have until Sept. 19 to make submissions. This will pre-qualify companies for an upcoming request for proposal process to find someone to operate the line, which is currently owned and operated by CN Rail.
“Stakeholders, through their own efforts, were successful in working with CN and the federal government to keep the ACR passenger line operating in the short term, and we’re now focusing on long-term solutions,” said Tom Dodds in a release. Dodds is the CEO of the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation and a member of the ACR Passenger Service Working Group.
“If there are any rail companies or other parties that are interested in operating the ACR passenger service, we’d like to hear from them,” Dodds said. “We encourage everyone to get the message out about this unique passenger service opportunity.”
CN simultaneously issued its own request for expressions of interest for a third party to run the Agawa Canyon Train Tour, which is geared towards tourists visiting the Sault in the fall months to see the fall colours. CN’s focus is on running freight.
Sylvie Fontaine, executive director of the Hearst Economic Development Corp., said this development is important in securing the future success of the ACR passenger service.
“Stakeholders represent a broad range of people, tourists, businesses, communities and First Nations who depend on the passenger service,” Fontaine said. “There are significant opportunities to increase ridership and revenues while, at the same time, reducing costs.”
Though the two expressions of interest are separate undertakings, parties may consider submitting an expression of interest to both.
