For the record, Minister of Transportation Glen Murray has tweeted that Metrolinx will electrify the Union-Pearson Express diesel cancer train to Toronto’s airport by 2017. Here’s what he said in a tweet back in March:
“At the groundbreaking for the Union-Pearson Express terminal in Mississauga w @Laura_Albanese! Electrifying by 2017!”
He posted a link to a picture: pic.twitter.com/Wbw3kYLGT5
Metrolinx has spent funds on electrification studies, and has even purchased land in the Islington/401 area (behind the Lowe’s store) for a potential yard for electric trains. A full environmental assessment for electrification is expected in 2014.
But now it’s up to the province — perhaps with federal support under the renewed Build Canada fund — to put funding in place for electrification. Maybe Ontario and Canada can follow Argentina’s example! Or Latvia’s.