Via Rail has provided $31 million in travel vouchers to passengers who experienced delays of over one hour due to new speed restrictions at rail crossings on CN tracks. The vouchers, valued at 50% of fares for delays exceeding an hour and up to 100% for delays over four hours, were primarily offered on the Quebec City-Windsor corridor, Via’s busiest route.
The $31 million allocated represents seven percent of Via’s total revenues in 2024, shedding light on the challenges faced by passengers following record delays since a conflict with CN last year. Experts like Jacques Roy, a logistics specialist, view these penalties negatively, highlighting the impact on taxpayers and users due to the service disruptions.
CN implemented speed constraints at rail crossings used by Via a year ago, citing concerns that their trains might not activate safety measures adequately. Consequently, on-time performance along the Quebec City-Windsor corridor dropped significantly, from 45% to 29%, causing frustration among passengers accustomed to higher reliability standards.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon expressed dissatisfaction with Via’s performance, emphasizing the need for improvement to benefit passengers and the company’s strategic goals. The disagreement between CN and Via revolves around axle counts on Via’s new Venture trains, leading to speed restrictions at crossings to ensure safety measures activation.
Following extensive delays, a temporary agreement was reached in August to allow trains to operate at a reduced but consistent speed, bypassing the need to manually confirm safety system activations. While this interim solution aims to enhance operational efficiency and minimize delays, its long-term impact remains uncertain.
Both Via and CN prioritize safety at rail crossings but differ on the severity of the issue and necessary protective measures. Legal proceedings and government interventions further complicate the resolution process as stakeholders strive to find common ground amid ongoing challenges in rail operations.
