December 23, 2020 · 0 Comments
By Sam Odrowski
A handful of manufacturers in Orangeville will be receiving their materials by truck instead of train at the end of next year.
The Orangeville Brampton Rail Access Group (OBRAG) provided formal notice that it will terminate its agreement with the Orangeville Railway Development Corporation (ORDC) and GIO Railways Corporation Inc., effective Dec. 31, 2021.
Manufacturers in Orangeville and Brampton decided to end the agreement prematurely, nine months ahead of schedule, since they’ll save money transporting materials via truck instead of train.
“Regrettably, usage of the line, in terms of both active members and rail traffic in Brampton decreased significantly within the last two to three years, due to a number of economic factors,” said OBRAG chair Dan Braniff.
Orangeville is about to lose its remaining rail link to the rest of the country.
The Orangeville Brampton Rail Access Group (OBRAG) has notified the town it will terminate its agreement effective December 31, 2021, ceasing operation on the 55 km line linking Orangeville with Streetsville Junction.
With just five customers remaining, Orangeville Mayor Sandy Brown says the line dating back to the 1870s is no longer viable.