David Bellerive
@dbellerive.ca
I don’t just write about infrastructure: I want to help build it.
Public systems, trust, delivery. EN/FR
https://dbellerive.ca
Public systems, trust, delivery. EN/FR
https://dbellerive.ca
Reposted by David Bellerive
Did you know that when Mount Dennis GO opens this Sunday. It'll be 3x faster to get to Union Station than it currently takes. The fastest trips today take around 45 minutes, on Sunday it'll take just 13 minutes. This is the power of regional rail.
November 11, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Did you know that when Mount Dennis GO opens this Sunday. It'll be 3x faster to get to Union Station than it currently takes. The fastest trips today take around 45 minutes, on Sunday it'll take just 13 minutes. This is the power of regional rail.
Reposted by David Bellerive
Today, Lansdowne 2.0 was passed with a 15 - 10 vote at Council. This is going to be an important issue in 2026, and I hope you'll stay engaged with Council in the coming months.
November 7, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Today, Lansdowne 2.0 was passed with a 15 - 10 vote at Council. This is going to be an important issue in 2026, and I hope you'll stay engaged with Council in the coming months.
Reposted by David Bellerive
Reposted by David Bellerive
Just can't help but laugh at this
November 7, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Just can't help but laugh at this
Ottawa just voted 15–10 for Lansdowne 2.0, a “revitalization” that saddles taxpayers with decades of debt so OSEG can call it partnership.
The city gets the bill, OSEG gets the benefit.
A ridiculous decision that will define Ottawa’s future for generations. Shame on council.
#OttCity #Lansdowne2
The city gets the bill, OSEG gets the benefit.
A ridiculous decision that will define Ottawa’s future for generations. Shame on council.
#OttCity #Lansdowne2
November 7, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Ottawa just voted 15–10 for Lansdowne 2.0, a “revitalization” that saddles taxpayers with decades of debt so OSEG can call it partnership.
The city gets the bill, OSEG gets the benefit.
A ridiculous decision that will define Ottawa’s future for generations. Shame on council.
#OttCity #Lansdowne2
The city gets the bill, OSEG gets the benefit.
A ridiculous decision that will define Ottawa’s future for generations. Shame on council.
#OttCity #Lansdowne2
Another exciting milestone for @railfans.ca! We look forward to sharing more content with you over the coming months!
8,000 subscribers! We’re thrilled to see so many people sharing our love for Canada’s rail systems. Thank you for coming aboard and being part of this incredible journey! YouTube.railfans.ca
November 7, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Another exciting milestone for @railfans.ca! We look forward to sharing more content with you over the coming months!
FACT: Amtrak's Cascades colour scheme slaps.
A great execution of brand, identity and recalled not just outside, but inside too. Bravo.
A great execution of brand, identity and recalled not just outside, but inside too. Bravo.
October 22, 2025 at 4:14 PM
FACT: Amtrak's Cascades colour scheme slaps.
A great execution of brand, identity and recalled not just outside, but inside too. Bravo.
A great execution of brand, identity and recalled not just outside, but inside too. Bravo.
Reposted by David Bellerive
Nothing says “meh” like a green PVC roof as “nod to the parliament buildings”
Talk about grasping for straws. (Flips desk)
@alexbozikovic.bsky.social
Talk about grasping for straws. (Flips desk)
@alexbozikovic.bsky.social
October 22, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Nothing says “meh” like a green PVC roof as “nod to the parliament buildings”
Talk about grasping for straws. (Flips desk)
@alexbozikovic.bsky.social
Talk about grasping for straws. (Flips desk)
@alexbozikovic.bsky.social
Reposted by David Bellerive
it's amazing that approximately 70 kilometres of rail transit will be inaugurated in canada over the next few months
(eglinton crosstown + finch west + o-train east + rem deux-montagnes)
(eglinton crosstown + finch west + o-train east + rem deux-montagnes)
Sources indicate that Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) is expected to take over the O-Train East Extension on Oct 27. News on Substantial Completion is anticipated soon to support this milestone. Pre-trial running is planned on Nov 03, one week after substantial completion.
October 19, 2025 at 7:23 PM
it's amazing that approximately 70 kilometres of rail transit will be inaugurated in canada over the next few months
(eglinton crosstown + finch west + o-train east + rem deux-montagnes)
(eglinton crosstown + finch west + o-train east + rem deux-montagnes)
Ribbon cuttings make headlines. But delivery doesn’t end there.
Hospitals, transit lines, campuses: what matters is whether they work, year after year.
New piece on why Canada must fund operations as seriously as construction:
dbellerive.substack.com/p/delivery-d...
Hospitals, transit lines, campuses: what matters is whether they work, year after year.
New piece on why Canada must fund operations as seriously as construction:
dbellerive.substack.com/p/delivery-d...
Delivery Doesn’t End at the Ribbon Cutting
Approvals and ribbon cuttings make headlines, but the real test of delivery is what comes after: the ability to run, staff, and sustain services for decades.
dbellerive.substack.com
September 23, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Ribbon cuttings make headlines. But delivery doesn’t end there.
Hospitals, transit lines, campuses: what matters is whether they work, year after year.
New piece on why Canada must fund operations as seriously as construction:
dbellerive.substack.com/p/delivery-d...
Hospitals, transit lines, campuses: what matters is whether they work, year after year.
New piece on why Canada must fund operations as seriously as construction:
dbellerive.substack.com/p/delivery-d...
My latest video for Rail Fans Canada! Exciting progress along the tracks of Stage 2 East in Ottawa. Hopefully we have some good news later this year regarding the timeline for this transformative project to open.
On September 13, 2025, OC Transpo and the East-West Connectors consortium carried out the first full performance test of the Stage 2 East Ext. Captured here is exclusive footage of the test, including trains passing through the stations and along the 174.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG-U...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG-U...
Ottawa's O-Train Stage 2 East Testing: On Track for Revenue Service
YouTube video by Rail Fans Canada
www.youtube.com
September 15, 2025 at 7:48 PM
My latest video for Rail Fans Canada! Exciting progress along the tracks of Stage 2 East in Ottawa. Hopefully we have some good news later this year regarding the timeline for this transformative project to open.
“Efficiencies” don’t balance the books: they erode services and trust in our governments, institutions and organizations.
My first (!!!) op-ed in the Ottawa Citizen: Why respect for taxpayers must mean real investment in transit, housing, and climate resilience.
ottawacitizen.com/opinion/taxp...
My first (!!!) op-ed in the Ottawa Citizen: Why respect for taxpayers must mean real investment in transit, housing, and climate resilience.
ottawacitizen.com/opinion/taxp...
Bellerive: Ottawa taxpayers get no respect in latest budget proposal
The city does not have a budget problem. It has a priorities problem. And it targets the wrong people to fix it.
ottawacitizen.com
August 27, 2025 at 2:58 PM
“Efficiencies” don’t balance the books: they erode services and trust in our governments, institutions and organizations.
My first (!!!) op-ed in the Ottawa Citizen: Why respect for taxpayers must mean real investment in transit, housing, and climate resilience.
ottawacitizen.com/opinion/taxp...
My first (!!!) op-ed in the Ottawa Citizen: Why respect for taxpayers must mean real investment in transit, housing, and climate resilience.
ottawacitizen.com/opinion/taxp...
Canada doesn’t suffer from a lack of plans. It suffers from a lack of delivery.
The new Major Projects Office is a step forward, but the real test is whether Canada can build the capacity to deliver.
dbellerive.substack.com/p/the-time-t...
#Infrastructure #Canada #Delivery
The new Major Projects Office is a step forward, but the real test is whether Canada can build the capacity to deliver.
dbellerive.substack.com/p/the-time-t...
#Infrastructure #Canada #Delivery
The Time To Start Building Is Now
Announcements are easy; delivery is what matters. Canada’s future depends on building not just projects, but the capacity to execute them.
dbellerive.substack.com
August 22, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Canada doesn’t suffer from a lack of plans. It suffers from a lack of delivery.
The new Major Projects Office is a step forward, but the real test is whether Canada can build the capacity to deliver.
dbellerive.substack.com/p/the-time-t...
#Infrastructure #Canada #Delivery
The new Major Projects Office is a step forward, but the real test is whether Canada can build the capacity to deliver.
dbellerive.substack.com/p/the-time-t...
#Infrastructure #Canada #Delivery
Toronto’s streetcars carry more riders every weekday than Ottawa + Edmonton’s rail systems combined.
They’re not broken. They’re underpowered. Under-prioritized.
The reasons? Not technical: political, spatial, social.
Read: open.substack.com/pub/dbelleri...
#Transit #Cities #Urbanism #Toronto
They’re not broken. They’re underpowered. Under-prioritized.
The reasons? Not technical: political, spatial, social.
Read: open.substack.com/pub/dbelleri...
#Transit #Cities #Urbanism #Toronto
Toronto’s Streetcars Are Great. We Just Don’t Treat Them Like It.
No other Canadian city has a streetcar network like this. So why do we treat it like an afterthought?
open.substack.com
August 8, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Toronto’s streetcars carry more riders every weekday than Ottawa + Edmonton’s rail systems combined.
They’re not broken. They’re underpowered. Under-prioritized.
The reasons? Not technical: political, spatial, social.
Read: open.substack.com/pub/dbelleri...
#Transit #Cities #Urbanism #Toronto
They’re not broken. They’re underpowered. Under-prioritized.
The reasons? Not technical: political, spatial, social.
Read: open.substack.com/pub/dbelleri...
#Transit #Cities #Urbanism #Toronto
In case you missed it!
We know how to build infrastructure that works, so why don’t we?
dbellerive.substack.com/p/we-know-ho...
We know how to build infrastructure that works, so why don’t we?
dbellerive.substack.com/p/we-know-ho...
July 11, 2025 at 6:22 PM
In case you missed it!
We know how to build infrastructure that works, so why don’t we?
dbellerive.substack.com/p/we-know-ho...
We know how to build infrastructure that works, so why don’t we?
dbellerive.substack.com/p/we-know-ho...
If we already know how to build better infrastructure —
why don’t we?
New post on the real barriers: not technical, but cultural, institutional, and human.
dbellerive.substack.com/p/we-know-ho...
why don’t we?
New post on the real barriers: not technical, but cultural, institutional, and human.
dbellerive.substack.com/p/we-know-ho...
We Know How to Build Better Infrastructure. So Why Don’t We?
The real barriers to delivery aren’t technical they’re cultural, institutional, and human.
dbellerive.substack.com
July 10, 2025 at 5:52 PM
If we already know how to build better infrastructure —
why don’t we?
New post on the real barriers: not technical, but cultural, institutional, and human.
dbellerive.substack.com/p/we-know-ho...
why don’t we?
New post on the real barriers: not technical, but cultural, institutional, and human.
dbellerive.substack.com/p/we-know-ho...
What’s the difference between a cancelled project and one that gets built? Sometimes, it’s who’s in charge.
New essay on how institutions are reshaping how we build things in Canada, and what it might cost us.
dbellerive.substack.com/p/whos-going...
#infrastructure #Canada #governance #transit
New essay on how institutions are reshaping how we build things in Canada, and what it might cost us.
dbellerive.substack.com/p/whos-going...
#infrastructure #Canada #governance #transit
Who’s Going to Say No to CDPQ?
Why delivery now belongs to those who act, not those who debate.
dbellerive.substack.com
July 2, 2025 at 4:59 PM
What’s the difference between a cancelled project and one that gets built? Sometimes, it’s who’s in charge.
New essay on how institutions are reshaping how we build things in Canada, and what it might cost us.
dbellerive.substack.com/p/whos-going...
#infrastructure #Canada #governance #transit
New essay on how institutions are reshaping how we build things in Canada, and what it might cost us.
dbellerive.substack.com/p/whos-going...
#infrastructure #Canada #governance #transit
People lined up to visit… a closed train station.
Not because it was new. Because, for once, they were invited in.
If we want people to care about public systems, we need to build toward inclusion, not just completion.
New post: open.substack.com/pub/dbelleri...
#infrastructure #transit
Not because it was new. Because, for once, they were invited in.
If we want people to care about public systems, we need to build toward inclusion, not just completion.
New post: open.substack.com/pub/dbelleri...
#infrastructure #transit
June 18, 2025 at 4:09 PM
People lined up to visit… a closed train station.
Not because it was new. Because, for once, they were invited in.
If we want people to care about public systems, we need to build toward inclusion, not just completion.
New post: open.substack.com/pub/dbelleri...
#infrastructure #transit
Not because it was new. Because, for once, they were invited in.
If we want people to care about public systems, we need to build toward inclusion, not just completion.
New post: open.substack.com/pub/dbelleri...
#infrastructure #transit
Excited to share the launch of my Substack and a first post!
It’s about infrastructure, systems, and figuring out how to go from talking to doing. Do not hesitate to share your thoughts, I'd love to hear them.
open.substack.com/pub/dbelleri...
#Infrastructure #Transit #Delivery
It’s about infrastructure, systems, and figuring out how to go from talking to doing. Do not hesitate to share your thoughts, I'd love to hear them.
open.substack.com/pub/dbelleri...
#Infrastructure #Transit #Delivery
Let’s Talk About What We Build
A personal starting point for turning ideas into infrastructure, and building toward what’s next for me.
open.substack.com
June 12, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Excited to share the launch of my Substack and a first post!
It’s about infrastructure, systems, and figuring out how to go from talking to doing. Do not hesitate to share your thoughts, I'd love to hear them.
open.substack.com/pub/dbelleri...
#Infrastructure #Transit #Delivery
It’s about infrastructure, systems, and figuring out how to go from talking to doing. Do not hesitate to share your thoughts, I'd love to hear them.
open.substack.com/pub/dbelleri...
#Infrastructure #Transit #Delivery
Reposted by David Bellerive
Not to be THAT guy, but have they considered that capacity is only ONE factor?
Like if I am gonna miss a train and wait 10 minutes for the next one, I might just walk instead.
I’d also love to see what they consider “light”, “medium” and “high”. uOttawa Station during “off-peak” is a mess.
Like if I am gonna miss a train and wait 10 minutes for the next one, I might just walk instead.
I’d also love to see what they consider “light”, “medium” and “high”. uOttawa Station during “off-peak” is a mess.
For those hoping that O-Train Line 1 would return to less than 10-minute frequencies off-peak, I present the following memo, which essentially says No!
(Quote: sufficient capacity is currently being provided on O-Train Line 1 during off-peak periods to meet demand.)
(Quote: sufficient capacity is currently being provided on O-Train Line 1 during off-peak periods to meet demand.)
February 10, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Not to be THAT guy, but have they considered that capacity is only ONE factor?
Like if I am gonna miss a train and wait 10 minutes for the next one, I might just walk instead.
I’d also love to see what they consider “light”, “medium” and “high”. uOttawa Station during “off-peak” is a mess.
Like if I am gonna miss a train and wait 10 minutes for the next one, I might just walk instead.
I’d also love to see what they consider “light”, “medium” and “high”. uOttawa Station during “off-peak” is a mess.
POV: your autofocus loves the snow. 🙃
January 27, 2025 at 12:03 AM
POV: your autofocus loves the snow. 🙃
My newest video for @railfans.ca is out now! Go check it out!
Coast to Coast 2024: Exploring Canada’s Passenger Rail Projects and Progress
As we wrap up 2024, Coast to Coast takes you on a journey through the progress of passenger rail projects across Canada.
youtu.be/H9IFLQKyyis
Coast to Coast 2024: Exploring Canada’s Passenger Rail Projects and Progress
As we wrap up 2024, Coast to Coast takes you on a journey through the progress of passenger rail projects across Canada.
youtu.be/H9IFLQKyyis
Coast to Coast 2024: Exploring Canada’s Passenger Rail Projects and Progress
YouTube video by Rail Fans Canada
youtu.be
January 20, 2025 at 2:47 PM
My newest video for @railfans.ca is out now! Go check it out!
Coast to Coast 2024: Exploring Canada’s Passenger Rail Projects and Progress
As we wrap up 2024, Coast to Coast takes you on a journey through the progress of passenger rail projects across Canada.
youtu.be/H9IFLQKyyis
Coast to Coast 2024: Exploring Canada’s Passenger Rail Projects and Progress
As we wrap up 2024, Coast to Coast takes you on a journey through the progress of passenger rail projects across Canada.
youtu.be/H9IFLQKyyis
I don’t think there is a better way to phrase it than that.
Just. Build. The. Darn. Thing.
Just. Build. The. Darn. Thing.
Will Canada's next PM and government finally score the empty-net goal for economic and environmental progress that VIA Rail tried to hand Trudeau in 2016?
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/del...
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/del...
Delays, Trudeau resignation threaten Toronto-Quebec City high-frequency rail project
MONTREAL - Canadians hoping plans for high-frequency rail between Toronto and Quebec City would move forward this year will instead see further delays — and the prospect of a federal
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
January 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM
I don’t think there is a better way to phrase it than that.
Just. Build. The. Darn. Thing.
Just. Build. The. Darn. Thing.
Coming soon(ish) to a @railfans.ca near you!
This might be my favourite project to work on every year, and this time, it is a MASSIVE one! For reference, the 2023 and 2022 ones were 16 minutes each...
*Placeholder thumbnail and title.
This might be my favourite project to work on every year, and this time, it is a MASSIVE one! For reference, the 2023 and 2022 ones were 16 minutes each...
*Placeholder thumbnail and title.
January 12, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Coming soon(ish) to a @railfans.ca near you!
This might be my favourite project to work on every year, and this time, it is a MASSIVE one! For reference, the 2023 and 2022 ones were 16 minutes each...
*Placeholder thumbnail and title.
This might be my favourite project to work on every year, and this time, it is a MASSIVE one! For reference, the 2023 and 2022 ones were 16 minutes each...
*Placeholder thumbnail and title.