Transport Minister Robert Poëti wants new rail line for West Island
West Island group fighting for better train service between St-Anne-de-Bellevue and downtown
Quebec Transport Minister Robert Poëti says improving train service between downtown Montreal and the West Island is a priority for 2015.
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But Poëti told Radio-Canada the old tracks won't be sufficient, and said Liberal government is looking into the possibility of building a new rail line.
“The CN and CP lines don’t belong to us,” the minister said.
“I am in constant discussion and negotiation. There are no indications that freight transport will decrease.”
Without a new track, Poëti said it would be difficult to increase service to the area.
The Train De L'Ouest Coalition — a West Island group fighting for better train service — has been pushing for years for new rail lines between the rail stations of St-Anne-de-Bellevue and Metro Lucien L’Allier.
Last June, the minister told the group the government had earmarked $80 million to add trains between the West Island and downtown.
In today's interview with Radio-Canada, Poëti said setting up a light-rail system for the new Champlain Bridge and extending the Metro system's blue line to the east are also on the agenda.