The Iron Ore Company of Canada will stop operating a passenger train that connects Labrador City with communities in Quebec. 

The decision, which takes effect in January, has prompted concern about winter road safety, as residents will need to drive for about an hour to make a connection at a junction in isolated Ross Bay, in western Labrador.

Karen Oldford, who volunteers with the Labrador West Minor Hockey Association, said players and parents have relied on the train service to go to tournaments in Sept-Îles, Que.

Without the connection, she said, travellers may soon need to drive to Ross Bay and stand by the junction as they wait for the train.

"There [are] no facilities, and certainly at the time of the year that we travel, the temperatures are generally down to minus forty, minus fifty," said Oldford.

"To be down there, waiting for a train that could often be hours late, is unrealistic."

IOC has already turned over operations of the existing passenger train service between Sept-Îles and Schefferville, in northern Quebec, to another operator. That line cuts through western Labrador, and IOC has until now operated the branch line to Labrador City, site of the company's iron ore mine.

Lab City seeks another rail service or bus

Labrador City Mayor Graham Letto said another operator has been approached about taking over the passenger service.

As well, he said, the town is researching whether a bus service to Ross Bay is feasible.

"I don't see any problem going from Labrador City to Ross Bay by bus, provided you've got a place to stay once you get there," Letto said.

"[The railway has] shown some interest in working with us in making sure that does happen."

Letto would like a solution to be in place in late January. IOC will cease to operate the service to Ross Bay on Jan. 26, 2007.