A cross-border coalition of political leaders from Ontario and Michigan is urging Ottawa to make improved passenger rail service in southwestern Ontario a national infrastructure priority.
The group is calling for federal funding to support faster, more frequent and more reliable rail service between Toronto and Windsor, while also restoring passenger rail service between Windsor and Detroit for the first time since 1979.
The proposal includes track improvements, station upgrades, added rail capacity and a joint border security facility at VIA Rail’s Windsor station. Michigan has already earmarked $43 million for the project, while Canadian officials are being urged to unlock $46 million on this side of the border.
London Mayor Josh Morgan said better rail service would support communities, universities, businesses and trade across one of the world’s largest economic regions. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said the project could connect Ontario’s rail network with Amtrak’s Detroit-to-Chicago service and the planned Alto high-speed rail corridor between Quebec City and Toronto.
Supporters say the project would boost economic competitiveness, tourism and cross-border mobility. They are also calling for changes that would prioritize passenger trains over freight trains, as VIA Rail continues to face major delays on tracks largely owned by CN Rail. Last year, only 35 per cent of VIA trains arrived on time, down from 51 per cent in 2024 and 71 per cent a decade ago.
The coalition includes mayors from London, Windsor, Brantford, Chatham-Kent, Oakville and Woodstock, along with officials from Detroit, Michigan’s state government, VIA Rail and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.
If approved, passengers travelling from Toronto to Detroit would take VIA Rail to Windsor, clear customs at a new border facility, then board Amtrak through the existing Detroit River rail tunnel toward Michigan Central Station and Chicago.
