Divestment
In 2012 the provincial government announced the divestment of the crown corporation citing it could no longer subsidize the money losing operation. The government has since cancelled the Northlander passenger train service from Toronto to Cochrane. However, then premier Dalton McGuinty vowed to keep the buses running after the Crown agency is sold off (the number of coaches in service has increased to compensate for the lack of the passenger train service).
Many Northern Ontario municipal leaders have expressed their fears regarding the divestment. They have indicated that the ONR provides a fundamental link to many remote and rural communities. They indicate that the government maintained its funding to the Go Transit network in Southern Ontario and it is important not forget about the important service the ONR provides to Northern Ontario residents.
Read more about this topic: Ontario Northland Motor Coach Services