[dowlingm]

Big news for Ontario, and something long overdue:
Ontario introduces tax credit for short lines

It is no secret that Ontario's shortlines have struggled over the years. Policy measures to support the industry are very welcome, especially in the face of the structural imbalances which hinder first/last mile freight by rail. This tax credit emulates similar measures taken by several US States and Canadian Provinces. Some details of the measure are as follows:





Edit: Full text can be found here:

2025 Ontario Budget | Annex

2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario

budget.ontario.ca

The RAC have a proposal document regarding this - probably the sort of thing the carbon tax should have funded some time ago.

https://www.railcan.ca/publication/proposal-a-refundable-tax-credit-for-shortline-railway-infrastructure/

If it is only 50% refundable, this is presumably not fully useful for companies not paying net corporate tax at present.

 

[Bojaxs]

Well, it seems Brightline in Florida is not faring well, financially. Unfortunately this is even in light of rising ridership.

It seems the Brightline model is profitable for longer haul journeys between Miami and Orlando. But shorter journeys are proving to be less profitable and now Brightline wants to cut some of those short hauls out of their schedule.

The Brightline company is also heavily in debt.

Brightline lost more than half a billion dollars in 2024, report says

The privately run passenger train company lost money even as revenue more than doubled.

www.palmbeachpost.com

 

[dowlingm]

Well, it seems Brightline in Florida is not faring well, financially. Unfortunately this is even in light of rising ridership.

It seems the Brightline model is profitable for longer haul journeys between Miami and Orlando. But shorter journeys are proving to be less profitable and now Brightline wants to cut some of those short hauls out of their schedule.

The Brightline company is also heavily in debt.

Brightline lost more than half a billion dollars in 2024, report says

The privately run passenger train company lost money even as revenue more than doubled.

www.palmbeachpost.com

key point from the news piece

Brightline's financial statements do not include information on its real estate dealings. It has built and sold towers at its stations. Its parent company, Florida East Coast Industries, sold the apartment building it built next to its West Palm Beach station in 2020 for $115 million.

Brightline's financial reports are public because it raised money through tax-free bonds sold through the state-run Florida Development Finance Corporation.

FECI can presumably tolerate the losses until the real estate play runs its course. Then the trapdoor opens under BL.

 

[Allandale25]

US close to high-speed rail breakthrough

The U.S. doesn't currently have any operating high-speed rail lines.

www.newsweek.com

 

[Urban Sky]

US close to high-speed rail breakthrough

The U.S. doesn't currently have any operating high-speed rail lines.

www.newsweek.com

The headline appears to clash hard with the actual text and even more so with reality…

 

[Northern Light]

US close to high-speed rail breakthrough

The U.S. doesn't currently have any operating high-speed rail lines.

www.newsweek.com

The headline appears to clash hard with the actual text and even more so with reality…

To Urban Sky's point, this is really a 'story' based on a quote of a former U.S. Transportation Secretary who aspirationally said something like ' If only we can get one of these HSR projects done, I think it will start a snowball effect'.

Only thing. None of the projects that are underway, most notably California HSR, are anywhere near complete.

Optimistically, maybe they'll have something going by the early 2030s (the current objective is a time range of 2030-2033 for phase 1); but they are not pacing in line w/that objective. There is also a material risk that Trump may pull existing committed federal dollars.

****

Meanwhile, only that and Brightline West (Vegas to So. Cal) are really past the fantasy stage. The latter may, aspirationally, reach operation in 2028; but that is a very fingers crossed timeline, and also assumes that certain supports will remain in place.

****

Illinois and Texas both have projects in the on again/off again, lets plan this some more phases..... Something may well come of either.........but we're not close to breaking ground, let alone operation. Indeed Chicago - St. Louis is only at pre-planning. (feasibility).

The Texas project is further along, but is looking at 8 years of construction, which can't start before next year; and given opposition in the State Legislature...... we shall see.

****

Suffice to say, I wish the U.S. well in these various endeavours. I think the idea is sound, though as with CaHSR, some of the details are problematic. Still, great if it moves ahead, but a near-term breakthrough seems improbable.

 

[Bordercollie]

CN closure of Jasper crew change terminal could put employees’ residency status in jeopardy

"I think CN is pushing this ahead without really checking into the effect it's going to have on the town or their employees that live there."

www.fitzhugh.ca

If the yard is located in Jasper how does it make sense to move the boarding location? Don't they need to stop in the yard anyway?

 

[Urban Sky]

CN closure of Jasper crew change terminal could put employees’ residency status in jeopardy

"I think CN is pushing this ahead without really checking into the effect it's going to have on the town or their employees that live there."

www.fitzhugh.ca

If the yard is located in Jasper how does it make sense to move the boarding location? Don't they need to stop in the yard anyway?

Not every train needs to stop at every yard and the three tracks at Hinton appear to be sufficient for crew changes.

 

[dowlingm]

Does CN’s decision impact VIA and Rocky’s operations at Jasper in any way?

 

[lenaitch]

Not every train needs to stop at every yard and the three tracks at Hinton appear to be sufficient for crew changes.

I'm not even sure an actual terminal or yard is a prerequisite for crew changes anymore. I've heard of CN crew changes at Brechin and Reynolds/South Parry (near Parry Sound).

 

[micheal_can]

I'm not even sure an actual terminal or yard is a prerequisite for crew changes anymore. I've heard of CN crew changes at Brechin and Reynolds/South Parry (near Parry Sound).

When a train needs to be rescued, so long as the new train crew can get to it, it doesn't matter where that may be. The key is the bunk house as that is where rest starts and ends.

 

[lenaitch]

When a train needs to be rescued, so long as the new train crew can get to it, it doesn't matter where that may be. The key is the bunk house as that is where rest starts and ends.

I get that, I'm talking about regular, non-rescue changes.

Are there actually any bunkhouses left?

 

[micheal_can]

I get that, I'm talking about regular, non-rescue changes.

Are there actually any bunkhouses left?

Not sure about in Jasper, but in middle of nowhere Hornepayne there is. And in Capreol. For the ones in Mac Yard, they go to a hotel. If they use a hotel for Jasper,that could be the reason for that change.

 

[lenaitch]

Not sure about in Jasper, but in middle of nowhere Hornepayne there is. And in Capreol. For the ones in Mac Yard, they go to a hotel. If they use a hotel for Jasper,that could be the reason for that change.

Tnx. Makes sense. I thought CN had torn down their one in Sioux Lookout (I think it was actually operated by the Salvation Army) but it appears they built a new one nearby.

 

[dowlingm]

For those who didn't click through, there is an interesting twist to the story, because the impacted crew who have homes in Jasper claim Parks Canada requires residents to be employed within the park or they lose the right to reside there. CN says "nuh-uh".