OTTAWA — Transport Minister David Collenette says a bid to move more goods by rail or sea routes to avoid highway congestion is not an anti-trucking measure, the Toronto Star reported.
Instead, he said, it can be seen by trucking companies as an economic opportunity because they still have to pick up goods at rail terminals, but can spend less time idling in traffic.
The trucking industry is already seeking more deals with railways, he told The Star.
The minister was reacting to comments by Ontario Trucking Association president David Bradley, who said trucks can still more efficiently move goods in this province and Collenette is “dreaming in Technicolor” if he thinks he can take trucks off Hwy. 401.
But the transport minister never made such a claim, and says he’s simply trying to “slow the rate of rapid growth of trucks on the major corridors.” The so-called “intermodal transport” option was part of the government’s throne speech, unveiled Monday.
Ottawa is aiming to reduce truck emissions on the busiest Ontario corridors such as Hwy. 401 south to Windsor and the Niagara Peninsula to Fort Erie.
Rail is becoming far more competitive when it comes to delivering “just-in-time” goods, Collenette said yesterday. He suggested investments to rail lines to expand them and allow them to carry more trucks.