Via Rail recently attributed a series of train cancellations on its Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal route to increased operational demands. Multiple trains were canceled between the three cities due to operational challenges as per Via Rail’s live tracker information. While declining interviews, the federal Crown corporation explained via email that these cancellations are a temporary measure aimed at safeguarding service reliability during an anticipated period of difficulty, including severe weather and higher passenger volumes around the upcoming Family Day weekend in Ontario.
Terry Johnson, president of citizen advocacy group Transport Action Canada, noted that Via Rail seems to be strategically holding back some trains to avoid last-minute trip disruptions. This approach allows them to have extra capacity in reserve, reducing the risk of extended delays. Johnson highlighted several recent last-minute cancellations by Via Rail over the past fortnight.
The timing of these recent cancellations is crucial for Via Rail, with executives set to face questioning from the parliamentary standing committee on transport, infrastructure, and communities on Wednesday. The focus of the discussion is expected to center around enhancing VIA Rail’s Safety and Customer Service, following an incident two months ago where passengers were stranded overnight on a train near Brockville, Ontario.
In response to the current cancellations, Via Rail emphasized in an email statement its recognition of the inconvenience caused to passengers and communities. It assured that all affected passengers have been rebooked or refunded without any additional charges. Via Rail expressed regret for the disruption caused and thanked passengers for their understanding.
If you have been impacted by a recent last-minute Via Rail cancellation, you can contact Guy at guy.quenneville@cbc.ca.