A new, high-frequency rail corridor for eastern Canada, a splashy new W Hotel in Sydney, and a Jamaica travel expo for Toronto. Today’s travel notebook.
HIGH-FREQUENCY RAIL BETWEEN TORONTO AND QUEBEC MOVES CLOSER
I’ll believe it when I see it, but the Canadian government today announced the launch of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for what could be a future, high-speed rail project between Toronto and Quebec City.
The RFP process will be ongoing until summer 2024. Following the evaluation period, the government will select the group who will become the private developer partner to work collaboratively with VIA HFR to design and develop the High Frequency Rail project.
The train could travel on dedicated tracks at speeds up to 200 kilometers per hour. The speed is great, but the dedicated tracks idea is equally important. Today’s VIA Rail trains have to use privately owned tracks run by the likes of CN, and the movement of goods takes precedence over passenger trains. That means frequent delays for travellers.]
It’s also important to note that this project is called “High Frequency Rail,” and not “High Speed Rail.” Trains will almost certainly be faster than they are now should this project move ahead, but experts say frequency and dependability are just as important.
If a train moved at, say, 150 km’s and went directly between Toronto and Montreal, it could maybe make the trip in four hours, including a few stops. If they were that fast and frequent, and reliable, they would a reasonable alternative to flying.
Pricing would, of course, be an issue as well, and lord only knows how much the project would cost, or what a traveller would be charged for a ticket.
The timing also isn’t clear. The government has said it would like the system running by the mid 2030’s, but these types of projects are almost always delayed. That means 2040 might be more realistic.
A train in Europe. Pascal Bernardon/Unsplash Photo
It’s a shame, because Canadians have been hearing about proposals such as this for 40 or more years. All the while, other countries around the world have built remarkable train systems that whisk passengers all about with amazing speed and efficiency. The Paris TGV runs some 410 km’s between Geneva and Paris and takes just over three hours. I was just in Scotland and England for two weeks, and their train service is (to a Canadian, anyway), astonishingly efficient.
“The High Frequency Rail project will be the largest Canadian infrastructure project in generations,” government officials said. “This transformational project will provide clean, safe, and efficient travel, drive our economy, and strengthen our partnerships with Indigenous communities.”
To maximize public benefits and innovation, RFP bidders will have to develop two solutions with respect to speed. One solution must include trains that can reach a maximum speed of 200 kilometres per hour, which is faster than the service offered today. The second solution must include high speed segments for faster travel. This will allow for a rigorous assessment of the costs and benefits of incorporating high speed rail on each segment of the Corridor.
Advancing Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples is a priority for the Government of Canada, and early engagement with Indigenous communities is already underway. Indigenous engagement is critical to the success of the project. As part of the RFP process, bidders will be required to detail their plans for Indigenous participation in the High Frequency Rail project and how they would facilitate opportunities for sharing the socio-economic benefits with Indigenous Peoples.
The High Frequency Rail project’s competitive procurement process follows the highest standards of fairness and transparency. It is overseen by an independent Fairness Monitor, who acts as an objective, third-party observer to safeguard the integrity of the procurement process. National security and related risks will also be assessed, along with measures to address such risks.
High Frequency Rail is a transformational project that will fundamentally change the way Canadians travel in southern Québec and Ontario, notably for communities who will be newly served by passenger rail service such as Trois-Rivières and Peterborough.
“The launch of the Request for Proposals for the High Frequency Rail project marks a significant milestone,” said Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant.
“In the future, more Canadians will choose to travel by rail, because the HFR will lead to faster train journeys, more frequent departures and greener travel.”
JAMAICA COMES TO TORONTO
The Jamaica Tourist Board will host a first-of-its-kind travel event when the Jamaica Travel Expo comes to Toronto this fall. More than 2,000 people are expected to attend the free destination showcase and exhibition, which takes place at the Pearson Convention Centre on Saturday, November 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Canadians planning a winter getaway to Jamaica’s sunny shores will have an exclusive opportunity to meet with travel experts to learn about the island’s top accommodations, attractions and tour operators. From high-end boutique hotels and family friendly resorts to iconic adventure parks and hidden gems, dozens of Jamaican tourism representatives and exhibitors will come together for this special one-day-only event to help travellers plan their dream island getaway.
Half Moon Resort beach in Jamaica. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Jamaica Travel Expo attendees will be treated to a variety of island-inspired activities, free destination swag, live entertainment, and hourly prize draws throughout the show – including a very special grand prize vacation giveaway valued at $5,000 courtesy of redtag.ca.
Those looking to enjoy authentic Jamaican experiences can sample delicious Caribbean cuisine, relax at on-site massage chairs, and groove along to the island rhythms of the Arsenals Ska Band. Brides and grooms who are considering getting married in Jamaica will have the chance to meet with destination wedding specialists and check out the latest bridal styles during two fashion shows by CJ Entertainment.
The free event for all ages will feature a variety of kid-friendly activities such as a treasure hunt, face-painting, and 360-degree island photo booth.
Jamaica Travel Expo attendees will also be able to take advantage of exclusive booking offers and discounts during the event. Travellers who book a minimum five-night vacation package at the show with redtag.ca will automatically qualify for a 50 percent discount on Club Mo Bay Airport Lounge departure services.
The Jamaica Travel Expo takes place on Saturday, Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pearson Convention Centre, 2638 Steeles Avenue East, in Brampton. Admission to the show is free and there is complimentary parking available on site.
Attendees who pre-register for the Jamaica Travel Expo at visitjamaica.com/travelexpo will be entered into an early-bird prize draw for a chance to win a four-night all-inclusive vacation in Jamaica.
To learn more about the Jamaica Travel Expo show in Toronto, go to visitjamaica.com/travelexpo and follow the hashtag #VisitJamaicaTravelExpo on social media.
W HOTEL SYDNEY MAKES ITS DEBUT
There’s a brand new, stylish hotel in one of the world’s great cities.
W Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of over 30 brands, announces the highly anticipated opening of W Sydney. Located in a dramatic curved structure rising over Darling Harbour, W Sydney is set to become a coveted destination for travellers and Sydneysiders alike, bringing new energy and a modern take on luxury to the city and harbour waterfront.
The new W Hotel in Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia.
A BEACON OF BOLD DESIGN
W Sydney rises above the roadways to hug Darling Harbour. Its exceptional interiors are designed by London-based Bowler James Brindley, who conceived W Sydney through the authenticity of the city’s history, spirit, and lore; from the marine-inspired rooms and suites to the distinctive restaurant and bars. At the heart of the hotel’s design story is ‘the larrikin’, a quintessentially Australian character whose strong spirit informs and inspires the hotel’s luxe yet unconventional interiors.
From the moment guests step past the W sign, inspired by the Australian Waratah flower, they are on a design-led journey. The copper-clad entry pays homage to subterranean Sydney and its disused railway tunnels, and an illuminated vertical promenade sweeps guests up into Living Room, a vivid blue space that reinvents the conventions of a traditional lobby by turning it into a social hub. Embracing a ‘Future Noir’ theme, Living Room is punctuated by an electric blue circular bar and nest-like seating that reference the Australian Bowerbird, a larrikin of the bird world.
W Sydney’s 588 guestrooms, including 162 exceptional suites, draw inspiration from the hotel’s harbourside location and nearby beaches, exuding marine-chic in their nautical white and navy-blue palette and undulating walls that echo the sails of yachts in the marina below. Bathrooms are rendered in deep oceanic blue and walk-in wardrobes feature a burst of graphic, inflorescent red and pink Waratah flowers for a playful touch.
The new W Hotel in Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia.
CUISINE SCENE
W Sydney brings four new dining and bar venues across three exciting levels. BTWN embraces its unique setting adjacent to the flyover, drawing on its urban surroundings and weaving the iconography of night food markets into its spaces. Just as other restaurants in town are winding down, BTWN comes alive with 2AM: dessertbar, a late-night hotspot created in collaboration with Singaporean dessert guru Janice Wong. Living Room’s menus embrace the hotel’s location on the edge of Asiatown, with a focus on Sake and Soju, as well as Asian small bites. 29/30 is a two-level bar with uninterrupted harbour views, the perfect place to celebrate Sydney. A beacon at the apex of Darling Harbour, the WET Deck (pool) level bar evokes an underwater world with coral-inspired lighting and is a great spot for casual tapas and cocktails. Meanwhile, Level 30 above takes things up a notch with elevated cocktails, a menu of vintage Champagnes by the glass, and the above-sea-level décor of a superyacht.
