Transport committee  The first study started back in 1981, so it's been about 30 years.

Transport committee  There's no specific recommendation that I can remember, but the results of the study were not necessarily conclusive either. They raise many questions in regard to the quantum leaps in ridership, for example, and the cost of the installations.

Transport committee  I couldn't tell you. It all depends on what the systems actually are. I can tell you that the bulk of the money goes into the infrastructure, but it all depends on exactly the layouts and the actual level of service that is envisaged.

Transport committee  Yes. I either participated in or collaborated on all of the studies.

Transport committee  The point here is to update the parameters on which previous studies were based. I also think there will be some major changes. The door is being opened to gradual improvements. This approach hadn't necessarily been considered before. Improving or enhancing the reference framewor

Transport committee  For instance, we could consider having high-speed trains run on certain tracks and slower trains on others, as is the case in other countries. It would all depend on market requirements and the means available to us over time. A somewhat similar approach has been adopted in Franc

Transport committee  I most certainly have. I have been interested in high-speed rail for 30 years and I've been a railway engineer for 50 years. So yes, I've had numerous opportunities.

Transport committee  New studies are interesting to the extent that they can shed new light on certain project features. The fact remains, however, that the necessary funding must be secured. In the case of high-speed rail, it is the basic infrastructure, not the rolling stock, that is the most costl

Transport committee  We did do a study by ourselves.

Transport committee  We did identify a corridor for high-speed rail. At the time, we examined several options, essentially the same options that have been picked up by the studies that have followed.

Transport committee  Well, the Montreal and Ottawa subdivision of Canadian Pacific, which was abandoned in the early 1980s, was obtained by VIA Rail and is still the property of VIA Rail.

Transport committee  Well, yes, but they are not necessarily on a high-speed rail route. Some subdivisions that were being abandoned were actually acquired by VIA Rail.