The issue of reduced passenger rail service in Stratford and St Marys has gotten the attention of Via Rail staff. Back in October, Via Rail Canada cut the early morning commuter train that ensured passengers made it to Toronto before 9am, claiming only nine residents from those areas took advantage of the service. Committee Member for Save Via, Chris West says local commuters have had to make other arrangements since Via cut Train 86. "It's very important for us to have that early morning train back." He continues " that allowed people who were traveling there for meeting attend those meetings and having a train rolling in at noon defeats that purpose." "What our hope is that we can have an open dialog with officials and those really that are in charge and stress to them what , you know, what things are like in St Marys, Stratford and along that north line, why that service is important to us. You know and hear what they have to say and presumably take some action from that point to strengthen service." West says the train service is important for three reasons: boosting the economy, getting residents to Toronto who have no other means of transportation as well as freeing up congestion on the highways. Members of Via's marketing and network staff will be in St Marys Thursday to discuss issues surrounding the reduced train services in that area. The meeting will be closed to the public.

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