Canadian advocate for passenger rail service coming to Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region – Greg Gormick is passionate about advocating for better passenger rail service for Canadians. That’s why he’s visiting communities across Canada to ask Canadians what they think about VIA Rail passenger service, and how they would like to see it improved. 

Gormick, the director of National Dream Renewed, a public outreach project of the nationwide advocacy group Transport Action, is coming to Waterloo Region on October 25 at 7 p.m. for a Community Forum in Council Chambers at 150 Frederick St. in Kitchener. 

Regional Chair Ken Seiling and Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr have been working with other community leaders in Waterloo Region and along the North Mainline to reverse the decline in passenger rail service. 

“The Region has been actively encouraging our residents to make more sustainable travel choices, and we’re making a considerable financial investment in rapid transit and our conventional transit service to help provide travel choices that are both affordable and sustainable in the future,” said Seiling. “Reliable two-way and more frequent intercity passenger rail service serving our community is a key part of our plans for sustainable transportation.”

Improving intercity transportation is important not only to provide residents with sustainable travel choices but also for the Region’s economy.

”Enhanced intercity rail-passenger service that is modern, innovative and sustainable will help us expand our labour market, strengthen economic linkages to the Greater Toronto Area and beyond, and increase tourism,” said Zehr. “The demand for better intercity service is there – our local tech sector estimates that the number of people commuting to Waterloo Region from the GTA everyday has doubled since 2006.” 

The Community Forum will feature a presentation by Gormick until 8:15 p.m. followed by an open forum discussion to allow the public to ask questions and provide their input. 

The public can register for this session at http://tinyurl.com/transittownhall.

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Greg Gormick will be available to the media for interviews in advance of the Community Forum.

For further information about the Community Forum, or to arrange an interview with Greg Gormick, please contact:

Keren Adderley, Communications Coordinator, 519-575-4508 or kadderley@regionofwaterloo.ca