Montreal — Passengers on Via Rail’s Quebec City–Windsor corridor have received more than $31 million in travel vouchers since last fall, following record-breaking delays tied to a dispute with Canadian National Railway (CN).
The vouchers — offered when trains arrive more than one hour late — represent about seven per cent of Via Rail’s total 2024 revenues, underscoring the scale of the disruption. Passengers receive vouchers worth 50 per cent of their fare for delays over an hour and 100 per cent when trains arrive more than four hours late.
The delays began after CN imposed new speed restrictions at level crossings last year, citing safety concerns about Via’s new Venture trains, which it said might not always trigger crossing barriers due to shorter train lengths.
Before the restrictions, 45 per cent of Via trains were on time; that number has since dropped to just 29 per cent. About 15 per cent of all trains have been delayed by over an hour.
“This is not good news for anyone,” said Jacques Roy, a retired logistics professor at HEC Montréal. “It reflects bad service and hurts taxpayers.”
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon called Via’s performance “unacceptable,” adding that delays have undermined public confidence and business strategy.
CN insists the new limits ensure safety systems at crossings are activated properly. Via, however, argues the restrictions are excessive and has sought court intervention. In April, Quebec’s Superior Court rejected Via’s request for an injunction against the restrictions.
To ease disruptions, Via and CN reached a temporary deal in August, allowing trains to operate at consistent — though reduced — speeds over longer segments. Via says this could improve reliability but warns it’s “too early to confirm the impact.”
“This is a step forward, but not a definitive solution,” said Via spokesperson Karl Helou.
The dispute remains before the courts, while the federal Transport Ministry continues to push both sides toward a lasting agreement.
For now, travellers on Canada’s busiest rail corridor continue to face unpredictable delays — and a steady stream of apology vouchers.
