Via Rail has hit the brakes on nonstop service on some trains travelling between Montréal–Toronto due to “operational constraints” with CN, according to the Crown corporation.
Via Rail was set to launch a three-month direct service pilot project on select trains between Montréal–Toronto on Sept. 29, saying it would test demand for faster travel between two major centres.
As part of the pilot project, Via Rail trains 60, 61, 68 and 69 would not stop in Cornwall, Brockville, Kingston and Belleville while travelling through eastern Ontario between Montréal and Toronto.
However, Via Rail said Monday nonstop service on four trains between Montréal and Toronto will not begin, and trains will continue to stop in eastern Ontario.
“VIA Rail Canada regrets to announce that the planned pilot project for a direct Montréal–Toronto service, scheduled to launch on September 29, has been postponed due to operational constraints with our rail partner, CN,” a Via Rail spokesperson said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.
“We remain confident that this downtown-to-downtown service, requested by 70 per cent of our passengers, represents an important step toward delivering more efficient passenger rail in Canada. A faster and more reliable service would benefit not only VIA Rail passengers, but also the broader rail network, including our partner CN.”
Pilot project sparked concerns
Via Rail said nonstop trains would arrive 30 to 40 minutes earlier at their destination than previously scheduled.
Travellers and politicians raised concerns about Via Rail’s plan to introduce nonstop service on four trains between Montréal and Toronto, with trains skipping stops in eastern Ontario.
“They call it a pilot project. We should be concerned it could get worse and need to speak up about these cuts,” Brockville Mayor Matt Wren said on Facebook last week.
Conservative MP Michel Barrett called Via Rail’s proposed nonstop service, skipping eastern Ontario, “unacceptable.”
“Residents in our community, as well as those in other rural regions and along a major corridor in eastern Ontario, will be underserved,” Barrett said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa last week.
Via Rail said nonstop service between Montréal and Toronto will continue to be explored for the future.
“Via Rail will continue to work closely with CN to explore solutions that would allow us to test and implement this service in the future,” Via Rail said. “In the meantime, we sincerely apologize to passengers who were unnecessarily re-accommodated. Impacted customers may modify their booking at no cost by contacting our customer service team.”
Here is a look at the train schedule
- Train 61 Montréal to Toronto: Depart Montréal at 6:45 a.m. (Train will continue to stop in Dorval, Cornwall, Kingston, Belleville, Oshawa, Guildwood)
- Train 69 Montréal to Toronto: Depart Montréal at 4:39 p.m. (Train will continue to stop in Cornwall, Brockville, Kingston, Oshawa, Guildwood).
- Train 60 Toronto to Montréal: Depart Toronto at 6:32 a.m. (Train will stop in Oshawa, Cobourg, Belleville, Kingston, Cornwall, Dorval)
- Train 68 Toronto to Montréal: Depart Toronto at 5:08 p.m. (Train will stop in Oshawa, Cobourg, Belleville, Kingston, Brockville, Cornwall, Dorval)
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