Via Rail has provided $31 million in travel vouchers to numerous passengers who experienced delays of over one hour since the previous fall, mainly due to new speed restrictions at rail crossings on CN tracks. Travel vouchers equating to 50% of fares are given to passengers for delays exceeding an hour on the Quebec City-Windsor corridor, with the amount increasing to 100% for delays surpassing four hours.
The $31 million sum represents 7% of Via’s total revenues in 2024, emphasizing the challenges faced by passengers during record delays resulting from conflicts with CN since last year’s Thanksgiving weekend. Jacques Roy, a logistics specialist at HEC Montréal, expressed concerns over the situation, stating that the penalties are unfavorable for taxpayers and passengers alike, reflecting poor service quality.
CN implemented speed limits at rail crossings used by Via a year ago, citing concerns that their new trains may not consistently activate safety measures due to their length or weight. Prior to the conflict, 45% of Via trains on the corridor were punctual, but this figure dropped to 29% by August. This decline in punctuality has been disheartening for passengers seeking reliability.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon criticized Via’s performance as unacceptable, noting its negative impact on passengers and business operations. The ongoing dispute between CN and Via revolves around the axle count on Via’s new Venture trains, leading to speed restrictions at rail crossings to ensure safety measures activation. Despite implementing interim measures to alleviate delays, both companies remain committed to resolving safety concerns at level crossings.