Via Rail Riders Say Dynamic Fares Are Pricing Them Out
As housing costs push more Canadians to smaller towns, the cost of getting to work by train is starting to feel just as steep.
For Natalie Crenna, who moved from Toronto to Belleville, Ont., during the pandemic, commuting by Via Rail has become so expensive she’s reconsidering where she lives.
“I’m spending about $1,200 a month on tickets,” said Crenna, who works at the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. “My mortgage comes up soon, and I’ve been debating if I can even stay here.”
Crenna is one of dozens of commuters who told CBC News that Via Rail’s pricing model — based on train occupancy and how far in advance tickets are booked — is making rail travel unsustainable.
How Via Rail Sets Its Prices
In a statement to CBC, Via Rail explained that its fares are dynamic, meaning prices rise as trains fill up or departure dates approach.
“This industry-standard approach helps us manage demand while keeping fares affordable,” Via said.
The company recommends booking two weeks in advance or choosing off-peak trains for lower prices. But commuters like Richard Stoltenberg from Cobourg, Ont., say that’s unrealistic for people with unpredictable schedules.
“Sometimes I pay close to $200 for a mid-week round trip,” said Stoltenberg, who travels to Toronto for consulting work. “I love trains, but it’s becoming unaffordable.”
Small Increases, Big Impact
Via says its average economy fare in the Quebec City–Windsor corridor rose only 2.5% since 2022 — from $68.51 to $70.20 — roughly in line with inflation.
But Tim Hayman, president of Transport Action Canada (Atlantic), says the switch to advanced yield management in late 2023 caused noticeable fare volatility.
“The old system had fixed base prices by route and class,” he said. “Now, fares fluctuate constantly to maximize revenue.”
Hayman notes that Via, while federally funded, is under pressure to recover more of its costs — a tension that often leaves regular passengers footing the bill.
Fewer Options for Frequent Riders
Commuters also say that Via has become less commuter-friendly since the pandemic, with fewer stops and the elimination of commuter passes in 2022.
The company promotes discount cards offering up to 30% off for frequent travelers, but those can’t be applied to “escape fares” — the cheapest fare class — or combined with other promotions.
“They’ve removed flexibility and affordability,” said Crenna. “It’s pretty much impossible to commute long-term.”
“It Feels Icky”
For Sonja Smith of West Lorne, Ont., rising fares have dampened her enthusiasm for rail travel.
“I used to get an escape fare for $40,” she said. “Now it’s at least $46 — if I’m lucky. The prices change by the hour.”
Via Rail maintains that booking outside peak times remains the best way to save, but as Crenna points out, the only train from Belleville that reaches Toronto by 9 a.m. is consistently the most expensive.
“We should be encouraging people to take the train,” she said. “Instead, they’ve made it impossible to afford.”
