(Montreal) Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois promises to invest $10.7 billion over eight years to create “Quebec Rail”, a government corporation whose mandate would be to provide public transportation by train between the main cities of Quebec. He was not able on Friday to detail how Quebec solidaire had managed to quantify this commitment.
Posted at 6:09 p.m.
Updated at 7:10 p.m.
This project, which appears in the “vision plan 2030” of Quebec solidaire, is the “centerpiece of a revolution in transport in Quebec”, he said. The left-wing party is also proposing to invest $2 billion in a first mandate to create “Quebec bus”, a network of 11 lines that would allow people to travel without using the car where there is no train service.
Québec solidaire registered five rail lines where “Québec rail” would first offer services: Matane-Québec, Québec-Montréal, Québec-Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke-Montréal and Montréal-Gatineau. These lines – 1140 km of rails in total – already exist, explains Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois. Some are under Quebec jurisdiction, others under federal jurisdiction.
In any case, the government should negotiate with the companies that own them in order to update them, to build bypasses, to allow freight trains to pass, and to negotiate the right of way for public electric trains.
“We worked with several experts. […] We did our homework. This proposal is realistic with the existing rail rights-of-way, ”said Mr. Nadeau-Dubois on Friday.
It must be taken into consideration that no new section is being built with this project. We don’t have to build new rails. These are estimates that are based on the investments needed to renovate or improve certain parts of the existing sections. [et des] investments that make it possible to build missing infrastructure, for example stations.
Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire
Cost details
The parliamentary leader of Québec solidaire was unable to explain how he had determined the cost of 10.7 billion, which would be an initial investment to launch “Québec rail” by 2030 on the first five sections. Its candidate in the riding of Taschereau in Quebec, Etienne Grandmont, also affirmed that we “are not budding geniuses”, while the party was questioned on the cost of acquiring or building the electric trains that he wishes to put into operation.
“Our project is realistic,” insisted Mr. Nadeau-Dubois. “We will not write the calls for tenders today with you, but we would have a favorable prejudice for these trains to be built in Quebec,” he then said.
Mr. Nadeau-Dubois recalled that each section planned for “Québec rail” is distinct, and that there is no single scenario for developing this new network.
“Let’s take the Quebec-Matane section. We are going to conclude the partnership with CN, which owns that segment. We are going to put money on the table to rehabilitate the rails. […] Our service will be complementary to VIA Rail’s current service,” he explained.
What we are proposing is not a public monopoly. There will still be private operators. VIA Rail will be able to continue if they wish to be able to operate where they have service.
Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire
After the press briefing, the party explained to reporters that it had estimated the cost of their project at between 7 and 11 million dollars per kilometre. “This estimate includes the purchase of trains and infrastructure [comme la] upgrade and [la] post of new tracks, as well as the development of stations”.
A public bus network
Québec solidaire also proposes to develop 11 intercity bus lines over the next four years, operated by a government corporation, which would complete the network where there is no rail service. According to the left party, it would be a web of more than 4000 km of roads. A private company like Orléans Express could no longer operate on a line where “Quebec bus” would go, particularly on the Montreal-Quebec corridor.
To launch “Quebec bus”, the party of Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois plans to invest 2 billion during a potential first mandate. This would allow the government, it is said, to operate between Montreal and Rouyn-Noranda, in the Abitibi region, between the Lanaudière and Laurentian regions, on route 132, between Montreal and Quebec, Sherbrooke and Quebec, Quebec and Saguenay, Quebec and Sept-Îles, in Gaspésie and Chibougamau.