Northlander Train Schedule Unveiled for Toronto to Timmins Route

Ontario Northland has revealed the proposed schedule for the much-anticipated return of the Northlander passenger train, which will connect Toronto to Timmins. While the exact start date for passenger service is yet to be announced, initial stop times and route details are now available on the Ontario Northland website. The service is expected to operate between four and seven days a week, depending on demand.

Passengers departing from Toronto’s Union Station will be able to board the Northlander at 18:30, with the train arriving in Timmins around 05:00 the following morning. Conversely, for those traveling from Northern Ontario into Toronto, the train is tentatively scheduled to arrive at Union Station at 10:55 in the morning.

Key Stops and Connections

The Northlander will provide direct connections to the Muskoka region. Travelers boarding at Union Station can expect to arrive in Gravenhurst at 20:45, in Bracebridge at 21:00, and in Huntsville at 21:45. Ontario Northland, an agency of the Ontario government, will operate this line using new trainsets, as indicated in promotional materials.

Ticket prices have not yet been disclosed, but Ontario Northland has indicated that fare structures will take affordability into account when finalizing costs. The previous rail route, which connected Northern Ontario to Toronto, was discontinued in 2012 and replaced with bus services.

In a statement from 2022, the Ontario government projected that the restored train service could see yearly ridership figures between 40,000 and 60,000 by 2041, emphasizing the demand for this vital link between urban and rural communities.

As the plan for the Northlander continues to develop, updates regarding the service launch and ticketing will be made available through the Ontario Northland website.