Michael Schabas Releases High-Speed Rail Conceptual Design and Business Case for Windsor-Quebec City Corridor

Expert Railway Planner Publishes Independent High-Speed Rail Study for Canada

High-Speed Rail Canada has published a significant new document on its Ontario-Quebec Studies page  LINK: a comprehensive high-speed rail conceptual design and business case for the entire Windsor-Quebec City corridor, authored by renowned railway expert Michael Schabas.

About Michael Schabas: Leading Voice in High-Speed Rail Planning

Michael Schabas brings decades of international railway expertise to Canadian transportation planning. The Canadian-born transport professional has shaped urban rail, intercity rail, high-speed rail, and long-distance railway projects across three continents, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Career Highlights

• Transport planner with extensive high-speed rail experience
• Railway operator and developer
• Consultant to major Canadian transportation agencies including VIA Rail, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Canada Infrastructure Bank, Transport Canada, and Metrolinx
• First rode the Turbo Train on the Toronto-Montreal route in the 1970s, sparking a lifelong interest in the Windsor-Quebec corridor

The 2022 VIA HFR Bidding Competition

In 2022, Schabas co-founded one of three teams invited by VIA-HFR (now operating as Alto) to bid on developing and implementing the Toronto-Quebec City high-frequency rail route. The competitive procurement process evaluated:

• Technical railway solutions
• Delivery team capabilities
• Financing plans and economic viability

Schabas's consortium finished second to Cadence, a division of CDPQ (Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec). Under competition rules, all bid submissions remain confidential and undisclosed. 

New Independent Study: Windsor-Quebec City High-Speed Rail Corridor

Released on January 12, 2026—strategically timed just before Alto's public consultation period—Schabas's independent study offers a comprehensive vision for high-speed rail across Ontario and Quebec.

Key Features of the Schabas Plan

Comprehensive Geographic Coverage The study addresses the complete Windsor-Quebec City corridor, including often-overlooked regions:

• Hamilton high-speed rail connections
• Niagara region rail service
• Southwestern Ontario communities
• Services beyond the original HFR/Alto competition scope

Complete Business Case Analysis The document provides detailed analysis across multiple scenarios:

• Original HFR Solution: Capital costs, operating expenses, and ridership projections
• Cadence Solution: Analysis based on publicly available information
• Schabas "Optimized" Solution: An alternative approach with comparative benefits

Economic and Financial Projections

The business case includes comprehensive estimates for:

• Capital investment requirements
• Operating cost projections
• Ridership forecasting models
• Revenue generation potential
• Broader economic benefits for the corridor

Distinction from Original Bid

Schabas emphasizes that this conceptual design differs materially from his 2022 VIA HFR/Alto bid submission. The current study draws exclusively from:

• Publicly available transportation data
• Independent research and analysis
• Schabas's professional expertise and experience

Alto Consultation and Plan Influences

Following the release of Alto's consultation documents and route maps, observers note that Alto appears to be considering several innovative elements from Schabas's publicly released plans, suggesting his work may influence the final high-speed rail design for the corridor.

Why This Matters for Canadian High-Speed Rail

This independent study provides transparency and alternative perspectives in Canada's most ambitious passenger rail project. By offering detailed technical and financial analysis, Schabas contributes valuable public discourse on:

• High-speed rail feasibility in the Windsor-Quebec corridor
• Economic development opportunities
• Transportation infrastructure investment
• Regional connectivity improvements
• Sustainable transportation alternatives

Access the Full Study

The complete "Conceptual Design and Business Case" document is now available on High-Speed Rail Canada's Ontario-Quebec Studies page, LINK offering detailed insights for transportation professionals, policymakers, and citizens interested in Canada's high-speed rail future.

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