Sarnia's mayor says VIA Rail Canada's 2015 announcement of enhanced local passenger service was premature.
Mike Bradley says CN Rail, which controls the tracks and rights of way, is continuing discussions with VIA.
He adds another complication dates back to 1995 when the new rail tunnel beneath the St. Clair River opened.
"CN decided to rip up the double tracks between here and London, it was a cost saving move that was very foolish and I think they would admit that it was foolish," says Bradley. "So what's being looked at is, could there be some bypasses put in between here and London, particularly around Strathroy, that would allow the passenger rail and the freight to be side by side?"
It was June 2015 when VIA President Yves Desjardins-Siciliano told a local chamber of commerce luncheon that passenger service would be increased to four trains a day in and out of Sarnia the following year.
The service was to be a mix of a traditional train between Sarnia and Toronto and two-car commuter trains running between Windsor, London and Sarnia.
It was said at the time of the announcement that expansion plans were subject to VIA working out track availability with freight rail companies.