Natalie Crenna, like many others, relocated from a major urban center to a smaller town during the COVID-19 pandemic due to lower housing costs and proximity to family. However, she is now considering a return to Toronto not because her workplace demands her physical presence but due to the escalating expenses associated with train travel.
According to Crenna, who resides in Belleville, Ontario, and works at the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan in Toronto, she is currently spending approximately $1,200 monthly on train tickets. As she deliberates her upcoming mortgage renewal, the financial burden of commuting is a significant concern for the 41-year-old.
Multiple Via Rail passengers have voiced complaints about the impact of Via Rail’s pricing structure on their travel decisions. Many individuals commute from smaller towns along Via Rail’s Quebec City-Windsor Corridor to major cities like Toronto for office days, and they feel constrained by the dynamic pricing model and limited booking options.
Via Rail, in an email response to CBC News, clarified that their pricing strategy is influenced by factors such as train occupancy and proximity to the departure date. Booking in advance, typically about two weeks ahead, and selecting off-peak travel times are suggested to secure the most economical fares.
Richard Stoltenberg, a consultant from Cobourg, Ontario, expressed concerns about the unpredictability of his work schedule, leading to last-minute mid-week trips to Toronto that can cost close to $200 for a round trip. Despite his appreciation for the environmental benefits and convenience of train travel, Stoltenberg emphasized the growing financial burden of train fares, prompting him to explore alternative transportation options.
New speed limits at CN rail crossings have resulted in Via Rail offering $31 million in travel vouchers since last fall to hundreds of thousands of passengers whose trains were more than one hour late. The vouchers are offered to passengers on the Quebec City-Windsor corridor.
Not just about fares
Via Rail’s pricing data, although not publicly accessible, indicated a modest increase in average economy ticket prices within the Quebec City-Windsor corridor over the years. Tim Hayman, from Transport Action Canada, noted that Via Rail’s pricing model underwent significant changes in late 2023, transitioning to a more dynamic approach that resulted in greater fare fluctuations.
Despite Via Rail’s efforts to align price adjustments with inflation and rising operational expenses, some passengers lamented the