A former deputy and close to François Legault converted into tourism now wants to launch a night train service between Montreal and New York.
François Rebello slammed the door of the Parti Québécois in 2012 to join the Coalition d’avenir Québec led by François Legault. Seven years later, the elected official turned entrepreneur wanted to open wide those of a new night train that would make the Montreal-New York route on Amtrak rails.
The project is valued at $ 10 million, mainly from private sources, and could see the light of day “soon”, says the owner of the Train-Hotel agency.
Even though we’ve been talking about a high-speed train for years connecting Montreal and the American metropolis, it is not about to be built, he recalls. All the more reason for him to find innovative ways to transport travelers put off by the price of a plane ticket.
“The current railways do not allow you to go very quickly. So as long as you spend several hours on the train, you might as well offer quality beds, entertainment, meals and make it a truly interesting experience. “
By traveling from Montreal to New York at night, “we saved a hotel night, we saved time. The potential is enormous from a tourist point of view. “
His agency already offers organized day trips with themes such as jazz. But he wants to set up a regular night service, with the participation of the railway companies VIA Rail Canada and Amtrak and the support of local governments. The project has already received the green light from the New York State government.
“Our market studies show that we would have enough to fill two trains containing up to 120 people each night, one to Montreal, the other to New York,” said Mr. Rebello in an interview with the Journal.
All that remains is to obtain the approval of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the main owner of the rails that the train would use, and Canadian National.
“Where it blocks is at the level of access rights. These are trade negotiations and our offer must be attractive enough to them. We think our most recent offer will convince them, ”he says, without specifying its content.
Requested by Le Journal, the CP did not want to comment publicly on Mr. Rebello’s project.
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I’d love to be able to take a night train to Montreal. There are overnight busses, but they’re really uncomfortable. Just include a budget option like couchettes or berths along with private compartments.