Canada needs high-speed rail now because travel routes along the densely populated Toronto–Québec City region are becoming more and more congested, with further population growth expected in the coming decade. Highways and air traffic are reaching their peak, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, and the slowdown is causing a decline in economic activity.
This is where Alto steps in. High-speed rail offers a sustainable solution to getting people moving faster by building new dedicated tracks to connect major cities, which will support long‑term economic growth.
The benefits of high-speed rail
When people and goods move slowly, businesses lose time, workers lose opportunities, and regions become less competitive. Congestion acts as a drag on economic activity and quality of life across the corridor.
High‑speed rail is a proven alternative. It eases pressure on roads and airports while providing travellers a dependable (and comfortable) way to travel.
What’s more, the trains will run on an electrified grid, which will help reduce the country’s carbon footprint by offering an alternative to millions of car trips or short-distance flights.
How high-speed rail improves travel and productivity
High-speed trains are known for their reliability. Thanks to dedicated tracks, Alto trains will not have to face delays caused by sharing the tracks with freight. Travel times between major cities served by the network will significantly improve, and Alto will become an efficient alternative to other means of transportation.
For example, a trip from Montréal to Toronto will take about three hours, downtown to downtown, while travel between Montreal and Ottawa will take about one hour. Faster and more reliable connections will make it easier for people to work, study, and travel across the corridor.
This improved mobility is expected to be a major boost for productivity, the labour market, and tourism, contributing to an estimated 1.1% lift in GDP, (equivalent to $24.5 billion!).