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Canada Minister of Transport David Collenette Oct. 22 officially opened VIA Rail Canada’s London, Ontario, station.



"You are witnesses today to the beginning of the renaissance in passenger rail in Canada," he said in prepared remarks at the ribbon cutting. "And southwestern Ontario is a critical component of this revitalization."



Canada’s government in April 2000 announced plans to invest $255 million in the country’s passenger rail network over the ensuing five years, including purchasing new equipment, repairing and upgrading existing equipment, improving rail infrastructure, and modernizing and upgrading passenger stations and facilities.



VIA Rail is investing more than $13 million in its southwestern Ontario operations, including the London station. Officials anticipate the new equipment and improved infrastructure will enable 70 trains weekly to arrive and depart the station by 2005 — an increase of 14 trains compared with the current schedule.