Diesel vs. electric trains: study vindicates Clean Train Coalition on debate over rail line to Pearson (but the province is buying diesel cars anyway)
Finally, a transit story that has absolutely nothing to do with Transit City.
This one’s about a basic disagreement over technology choices and hasty cost-cutting by the Liberal government of Dalton McGuinty. In order to build a rail link between Pearson and Union Station in time for the Pan Am Games, Metrolinx has chosen to run diesel-powered trains through neighbourhoods where 25,000 schoolchildren play. Local activists, primarily the Clean Train Coalition, have been trying to get the province to consider electric trains instead. Today, they were (slightly) vindicated by a report from Metrolinx that recommends electrification—but not until 2017.
We spoke with Keith Brooks, spokesperson for the Clean Train Coalition, who describes the report as a “partial victory.” The CTC still intends to hold the province’s feet to the fire on this issue, because there are so many questions left. Particularly, why the province keeps saying there are “marginal” environmental and health benefits, a claim Brooks thinks is dubious.
“Sure, when they [Metrolinx] talk about regional benefits it’s less of a difference. But our concern is the local pollution and the people who live in neighbourhoods in close proximity to the train line,” says Brooks. “Exhaust is exhaust.”
The Metrolinx report vindicates a number of claims by the CTC: that electric rail would be cheaper to run, allow better service, and be cleaner. But all the vindication comes grudgingily: while Metrolinx describes the greenhouse gas reductions as “marginal” because GO’s share of emissions in the province is so small, the report points out that electrification would reduce GO’s GHG emissions by 94 per cent. If that’s marginal, we’d love to see what the province thinks is “substantial.”
So with the CTC having seemingly won the argument on the merits, Queen’s Park is going ahead and buying diesel trains from a Japanese company anyway. This means that the province will pay twice—once for diesel trains, and again when they replace them with electric trains—all is now in a headlong rush to build something, anything, in time for 2015.
Of course, that’s assuming that it goes forward at all. No matter what the McGuinty government starts or plans, recent events prove that elections—like the one Ontario will have in October—can change everything.
• Electrification Study [GO Transit]
UPDATE: We spoke with Ian McConachie of Metrolinx, who had several responses to the CTC’s victory dance. Most regrettably, we were in error when we wrote that the diesel trains Metrolinx is buying would have to be replaced—in fact, the trains will be convertible to electric when the rail lines themselves are ready for them. The costs of conversion, however, are still unknown as Metrolinx is still in negotiation with Sumitomo. McConachie’s more fundamental point was to stress that Metrolinx simply can’t build an electric rail line in time for the 2015 Pan Am games. The environmental assessment process—the bane of infrastructure-builders everywhere—means that “even if we spent $10 billion, we still wouldn’t have something ready for the Pan Am Games.” Upgrading GO is a long-term project that includes replacing rail stock to cleaner-burning diesel, and improving service levels so that “GO becomes more like a subway, where you don’t check the schedule before you go to the station.” Metrolinx, McConachie says, never claimed that electrification wouldn’t improve service or be cheaper to operate, simply that it couldn’t be built in the timeframe they need. (January 19 at 3:53 p.m.)
The ‘vindication’ was very short-lived once the message came out that they will still take over 6 years to produce an electrified line to the airport because of the Pan Am Games. The excitement of the ‘win’ was greatly diminished. Our communities will suffer twice: the cost of diesel trains and their affects from spewing smoke. Has anyone asked Metrolinx how they can justify the carbon footprint of bringing Japanese trains over? Not only do they have to be shipped in pieces but they will be assembled in the US and then shipped for our use. Some savings! What about buying Canadian? Not only are diesel trains unenvironmental but the rationale of the purchase and installation is dubious at best. If the Province is so committed to having a link by the Pan Am Games, they should look at their own studies which say that Lakeshore can be electrified in 33 months. Lakeshore is more than twice the length of Georgetown and much longer than between Union Station and Pearson. Why will it take that long then? And if so, then just use more GO trains to shuttle visitors — the trains won’t be used for the athletes or officials as they will be shuttled privately. So us citizens who get to pay for this line will be forced to pay with our pocket books and with our health and that of our children. Shame….
What a false choice!
Why should all our decisions be frames by a two-week sporting event that no one will ever remember?
I’m sure we all were impressed by the decision of the last Pan Am games winner NOT to include the introduction of diesel trains in their bid. I mean, we would be if we could remember a single thing about the last Pan Am games, including the country or city where it took place.
Let’s have a reality check here and do it right the first time. Go Electric, already.
Metrolinx should read the time schedules offered in the previous studies. If they can do all the bridgework, rail work and electrical work from start of design to commissioning of service in 92 months for the complete Lakeshore line, they are misleading the public to say they cannot electrify the Air Rail Link in time for Pan Am. The lead consultant of the most recent electrification study has confirmed that the work on the ARL can be staged to be independent so it can go forward as a priority. They are already doing the rail and bridgework, so there are poles to plant and wires to string. They already know that there is space in the Hydro yard for a transformer, and that they need 750metres of cable to reach from it to the maintenance facility in Mimico. The same train is available in an electric version from the manufacturer Sumitomo for less cost than converting from one drive technology to the other. To tell us they need 4 to 6 years for detailed design work, or 4 years for environmental approvals, for a installing a 30 km stretch of catenary and hooking it into the grid is pure bunk when you compare it to their own studies of 2008 and earlier.
The public wants you to get it done Metrolinx, and the rail industry is laughing at your claim of a need for such an inflated time frame that convertible diesels are the quick-fix. Perhaps the Premier will be moved to find folks who will do it without the waste of time and money.
I have lost all respect for the persons running metrolinx. They seem only concerned for having something up and running for those games. They do not care for the people who live along the tracks, All they care about is money. This is no suprise since they lack vision. The future was supposed to be bright and full of hope. Some countries with a vision of the future, for they run electric trains form city to airport. The people in metrolinx do not care. I know I am repeating my self , however I live so close to the tracks I can see what people are reading in the trains that go by daily.
I want to protect my home and family and it seems that the bean counters at all levels of government are just not listening. This is sad and I do feel a bit arrogant on their part. I know that I will not rest until my family are protected from those that would threaten the peace and security of my home.
sincerely,
Pius Agius
I love how that OpenFile advocacy-piece-dressed-as-journalism about 25,000 kids was quoted. Of course, no kids play ANYWHERE near the Lakeshore East line, which is far busier (on an all-day basis) than Georgetown with far larger trains than the dinky ARLs rolling right now, but which under Metrolinx’s schedule won’t be electric for over a decade.
Whether they are converted or replaced later, diesel trains are not a very good way to fulfill our commitment to make the 2015 Pan Am Games the greenest ever.
Hybrid buses could be run on dedicated lanes for the few weeks that the Games bring visitors—tourists, athletes, officials—to Toronto. At the same time, electrification work could continue along the Georgetown corridor. Using this approach, we would be able to save the cost of replacing or retrofitting the diesel trains, continue the work without disruption for the next few years, and be able to honour our commitment to the organizers of the games.
Metrolinx should not be directly involved in planning the transportation strategy for the Pan Am Games. They are responsible for the long term health of our city and region’s transportation infrastructure and should not be distracted by the short-term needs of a special event.
I’m still looking for more information on how green either of two options are.
As it stands, diesel is not the cleanest of the options in terms of emissions when full combustion of a litre is compared to full combustion of a litre of petrol:
diesel contains 2,778 grams of carbon per gallon, whereas gasoline contains 2,421 grams per gallon.
What will make the biggest difference in the decision is if the carbon generated by the electric plants is less than the carbon generated by the diesel trains.
If you are emitting the same or more carbon emissions from power plants, then the benefit is only localized – the train itself is cleaner, but the effects of the train is just passed on to whichever residents live close to the power plant – people in mississauga, sarnia and nanticoke.
Considering Oakville managed to weasel out of an energy centre, to me it feels a bit NIMBY..
Now, if we really began to increase the amount of green and sustainable energy production in Ontario, then we’d actually be doing something good by bringing in these electric trains, but who hasn’t criticized the heck out of McGuinty for his efforts? Hudak hasn’t stopped.
I think the real solution here is to have everyone on the same page when it comes to green initiatives. Either we’re in, or we’re out, and issues like these trains serve only as becoming wedge issues.
What about all the cars and trucks on the 401?? I guess they don’t pollute anything!!! The tier 4 diesel even exceeds World Health Organization expectations! Have fun being stuck on highway 401 and 427 going to airport!!!
Are you willing to face the possibility of needing to build a nuclear power plant to supply the extra power that the electric trains will need (and that will also be needed for power overall?) Or do you want another blackout as Toronto’s power grid is strained to the breaking point because of all the demand?