Via Rail has provided $31 million in travel vouchers to passengers affected by train delays of over one hour since last autumn, mainly due to new speed limits at rail crossings on CN tracks. Travel vouchers equivalent to 50% of fares are given to passengers for delays exceeding one hour on the Quebec City-Windsor corridor, with the value increasing to 100% for delays exceeding four hours.
The $31 million in vouchers represents 7% of Via’s total revenues in 2024, highlighting the challenges faced by passengers due to significant delays following a conflict with CN during the previous year’s Thanksgiving weekend. Jacques Roy, a logistics specialist and retired HEC Montréal professor, expressed concern over the situation, emphasizing the impact on taxpayers and passengers.
CN implemented speed restrictions at rail crossings used by Via a year ago, citing concerns that their new trains might not trigger security measures adequately due to their size and weight. Prior to the conflict, on-time performance of Via trains along the corridor stood at 45% in August 2024 but dropped to 29% by August this year, affecting passenger reliability.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon criticized Via’s performance, stating that the situation is unacceptable and detrimental to both passengers and the company’s business strategy. The dispute between CN and Via revolves around the number of axles on Via’s new Venture trains, leading to speed limits being imposed at rail crossings to ensure the activation of safety measures.
In response to the record delays, Via and CN reached a temporary agreement in August, allowing trains to operate at a consistent reduced speed, bypassing the need to confirm automatic safety system activation at every crossing. Via spokesperson Karl Helou expressed optimism about the new operational approach but emphasized that further evaluation is needed to gauge its impact on on-time performance.
While CN asserts that the speed limits enhance safety features at rail crossings, the disagreement remains unresolved, with the matter in Quebec’s Superior Court. The Ministry of Transport is working to mediate an agreement between the two parties, albeit delayed by the departure of former minister Chrystia Freeland. Both Via and CN prioritize safety but differ on the severity of the issue at rail crossings and the necessary protective measures.
