High-speed rail could reshape travel in Ontario.

The article reports that Alto is developing a dedicated, electrified high-speed rail network linking communities in Ontario and Quebec and that a multi-month public consultation process has begun; it also lists proposed travel times such as about two hours between Toronto and Ottawa.

The article reports that Alto is developing what it describes as Canada's first dedicated, electrified high-speed rail network linking communities in Ontario and Quebec. The project is presented as focused on longer-distance intercity travel with trains running up to 300 km/h on primarily dedicated tracks. Alto announced that it launched public consultations in January to gather input on routes and stations. Key details: - The article mentions proposed travel times of roughly 40 minutes for Toronto–Peterborough, about two hours for Toronto–Ottawa, and about three hours for Toronto–Montreal. - The article says trains would operate at speeds up to 300 km/h on primarily dedicated tracks, compared with the current maximum speed of 160 km/h cited for VIA Rail. - The article quotes Alto projecting about 5,000 jobs to operate the network and an annual GDP contribution of about $24.5 billion once operational. - The article reports a multi-month public consultation with in-person open houses, virtual sessions, and an online engagement portal is under way. Summary: The article reports Alto's plan to build a dedicated high-speed rail corridor intended to shorten intercity travel times. The project is currently at the consultation stage with public engagement under way. Undetermined at this time.