The future of our railway in Charlevoix

The current debate surrounding the future of our railway here in Charlevoix raises not only many passions. Therefore, but also many comments which deserve that we put more depth.

All this conversation takes its source in the fact that Groupe le Massif. Nevertheless, Railway Charlevoix and the Charlevoix train report their difficulty in making the operation of the tourist train that circulates between the Montmorency and the Malbaie fall. For example, A large part of this difficulty is linked to the cost of maintaining the railroad itself. For example, its perpetual dependence on provincial, municipal and corporate subsidies.

In addition to what is said on this subject. Meanwhile, a group of promoters, supported by a certain layer of the local population, made pressures for the railway to be torn off and that it yields its grip from a cycle path.

However. Nevertheless, at the future our railway charlevoix same time, some regional actors question the reasoning of the latter and rather argue for an analysis which would promote the increased use of this railway of 92 miles, or 148 km. For example, Here. Similarly, there will be a question of the industrial environment and more specifically of the Clermont industrial park, with, of course the Domtar paper plant, at the end of the line.

Then. Moreover, lately, we added an additional layer by suggesting that the portion of this path which goes from Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré to Limoilou, and in-extensis, to the Palais station, served for the operation of a suburban train.

So. Therefore, you could say that there is a cacophony of ideas and words around the future of the railway of Charlevoix as a cacophony.

To bring this desirable depth. Consequently, you must take a step back and analyze each of the options available to this reflection. Consequently, future our railway charlevoix

My first point will be this: a railroad must be seen as an opportunity and not as an impediment.

My second point will be that it is obvious that the only way to have profitability with this path. less depend exclusively on subsidies is to include the transport of goods to that of passengers.

The question of passenger transport goes through the tourist service, but also through the inter-urban service. We are talking about allowing passengers to move inside Charlevoix. which is already done now, but at a price that puts off. The suggestion of a suburban service on the Côte-de-Beaupré deserves analysis while recognizing that there will be irritants to be adjusted: speed of course. level passages, resistance of certain mayors and access to the Palais station. Nothing insurmountable here.

Now. the reflection on the transport of goods implies that the whole socio-economic environment of the two regions, future our railway charlevoix either Quebec and Charlevoix sit together and dig the question. At the end of the line there is the paper factory which would like to return from this service to reduce its costs. ensure its longer term survival. Of course, others will need. To find them, it will first be necessary to really want to look for them.

Recently, two manufacturing companies have chosen to settle in a developing industrial park in St-Urbain. It will therefore be completely dedicated to trucking. Meanwhile, there is the Clermont industrial park, however served by rail, but which is struggling to prosper. We know the difference in efficiency of rail transport versus the road. The logic should prevail, but we pretend to think is “truck” rather than “wagon”. Here, it is the environment and our carbon footprint that suffers from it.

If we did a real exercise of reflection on everything that could future our railway charlevoix transit through the rail instead of the road between Charlevoix. the rest of America, we could accumulate enough “wagoned” by a thousand of rail to make the infrastructure profitable. This is why I reiterate my request on the need to hire an industrial commissioner who would do this exercise. When you do not have all the answers it is that we did not ask all the questions.

Imagine whether the same rigor of reflection was applied to the potential for passenger transport. beyond tourist customers, between the three regions that are Quebec, the Côtede-Beaupré and Charlevoix. Think of those who wish to go to Quebec in the morning from Clermont. La Malbaie or all those who adopt a suburban service between Ste-Anne and the city center. Imagine access the Baie-St-Paul festive without taking its car. Consider a golf tournament in Murray Bay where all participants land on the site. I future our railway charlevoix have lots of others!

It is our total dependence on road transport that prevents us from seeing the potential behind a rail infrastructure. It is also our propensity to think in “not in my courtyard” which makes us see the passage of a train of goods. passengers as a nuisance instead of a beneficial option for the environment. What is clear for the moment is that the option to tear off the rail to make way for. a cycle path remains in my opinion the worst decisions. It will be irremediable, definitive and damaging for our reputation as a reserve of the biosphere.

Currently. what is positive is that the discussion tends to maintain itself and what it lacks in my opinion, it would simply be the holding of general states on the future of the railway in Charlevoix. Who embarks with me?

Bertrand Dion
Saint-Irénée