Discover Saskatoon backs proposed changes to Via line
The organization that advocates on behalf of Saskatoon's tourism industry supports a push to move rail passenger service to a different line outside the city.
City council recently received a report outlining the potential benefits of moving passenger rail service off of CN Rail's main Saskatoon line and onto a secondary line. The suggestion came from the mayors of several cities, including Warman.
Discover Saskatoon CEO Stephanie Clovechok said her organization is happy the idea is being talked about.
“It's really good for us to be having conversations about infrastructure that enable tourism in Saskatchewan,” she said.
Many of the people who visit Saskatoon and Saskatchewan come to attend sporting or business events, rather than for leisure, which presents an opportunity for growth, Clovechok said.
“I was really heartened to hear the mayors that are working on this project (are) serious about how they could drive more visitations to the province through leisure tourism.”
Clovechok said a new Via Rail station in Warman would help improve the visitor experience, adding that the current station in Saskatoon does not offer a positive experience since it's not even a formal train station. A variety of different groups would have to work together to deal with this infrastructure gap, she added.
“It would require a large development of a partnership initiative.”
While improving infrastructure is important, Clovechok said work also needs to be done to drive sufficient passenger traffic to the city and province to make sure the infrastructure investments are worthwhile.
“We do have a lot of work to do to generate demand for Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan travellers.”
Clovechok said Discover Saskatoon has partners in multiple markets and a good relationship with Via Rail, which could help build up visitor traffic.
Another hurdle to moving the passenger rail line is whether the secondary line could handle the increased demand. Clovechok said Via Rail is currently not in a position to say whether the move is possible.
“There is a considerable amount of work that still needs to be done with Via Rail.”