Natalie Crenna, like many others, relocated from a major urban center to a smaller town for cheaper housing and proximity to family amid the pandemic. However, she is considering a return to Toronto not due to a mandatory office return but because of the escalating train travel costs. Crenna, 41, working in Belleville, Ontario, approximately 190 kilometers east of Toronto, shared with CBC News that she is shelling out around $1,200 monthly on train tickets. The issue resonates with numerous passengers who commute to major cities such as Toronto from smaller towns along Via Rail’s bustling Quebec City-Windsor Corridor.
The concern is not solely about overall ticket price hikes. Passengers criticize Via Rail’s dynamic pricing system and limited options, leaving frequent travelers with no alternative but to pay more. Via Rail responded to CBC News via email, explaining that their pricing strategy is influenced by train occupancy and booking proximity to the departure date. Last-minute bookings for popular trains generally come at a higher cost. Via Rail recommended booking around two weeks ahead for the best fares and opting for off-peak travel times.
Despite Via Rail’s claims that average ticket prices along the Quebec City-Windsor corridor have seen a modest 2.5% increase in recent years, critics like Tim Hayman of Transport Action Canada note a shift in Via’s pricing structure. The company’s transition to a more flexible reservation system in late 2023 introduced advanced yield management, resulting in fare fluctuations.
Passengers voiced concerns about the evolving commuter-unfriendly nature of Via Rail’s service post-pandemic, with reduced stops and trains for some communities. The discontinuation of commuter passes in 2022 added to the woes. Via Rail pointed to discount cards for frequent travelers, offering up to 30% savings on economy fares for a set number of trips within a specific period. However, restrictions on fare classes and promotional code usage limit the actual benefits for some customers.
Sonja Smith, residing in West Lorne, Ontario, emphasized how escalating prices have made rail travel unaffordable for her, despite being a longtime advocate of train travel. The lack of affordability, coupled with fluctuating prices, has deterred some passengers from continuing to use Via Rail for their regular commutes.
In response to concerns over pricing, Via Rail suggested booking off-peak departures for lower fares. However, commuters like Crenna from Belleville criticized the lack of flexibility and affordability in the current system. The absence of reasonable options and cost-effective fares has made long-term commuting with Via Rail nearly untenable for many passengers.