Tardiness is nothing new at Via Rail, but late arrivals are reaching historic levels in a key corridor since passenger trains have been forced to slow down at hundreds of rail crossings operated by CN Rail.
According to figures obtained by Radio-Canada, the situation has kept getting worse since the start of the dispute over rail crossings between Via and CN.
Just before Thanksgiving, CN required Via Rail conductors to visually confirm the lowering of safety barriers at each rail crossing.
Due to these restrictions, 80 per cent of trips suffered delays of more than 10 to 15 minutes in February between Quebec City and Windsor, where the majority of Via trains operate.
In January, 67 per cent of trains were late on the same corridor.
Delays have been even greater between Quebec City and Ottawa this year, affecting 94 per cent of trains last month and 86 per cent in January. Some delays were caused by heavy snowfall.
In 2023, by comparison, 60 per cent of trains on the Quebec City-Windsor corridor arrived on time, according to Via Rail figures.
The Crown corporation hopes the federal government will intervene, noting that its conflict with CN is disrupting thousands of passengers and harming the reputation of rail service in the country.
“Without valid proof and precise justification, Via Rail continues to assert that this decision [by CN] is unjustified and arbitrary. It is urgent that these restrictions be lifted,” said Via spokesperson Karl Helou.
He called for “detailed information and analyzes supporting this decision be made public immediately”.
Shorter Via trains and signals
The dispute is related to the number of axles on the new Venture trains in use by Via Rail since 2022.
When Via runs a train composed of one locomotive and five cars, there are only 24 axles, short of the 32 axles called for by CN to ensure that barriers and signals are activated at rail crossings.
When a train nears a rail crossing, an electrical signal triggers safety warnings — but the signal depends on the length and weight of the train.
There were problems at rail crossings in the Drummondville area last spring and CN and Via are arguing over whether the trains or the rails were to blame.
CN says safety is its only consideration and plans to present its arguments in court. The case is before the Superior Court of Québec, where Via Rail has asked for the restrictions to be lifted.
“We will never compromise on safety,” says CN spokesperson Ashley Michnowski. “CN has no interest in arbitrarily slowing down Via trains, as this would reduce our ability to run our own trains, which are essential to the economy.”
Via counters that there is no indication that the current situation creates additional danger at rail crossings and the barriers and sound signals are effectively triggered by Venture trains.
According to Via, CN’s requirements are particularly demanding for railway workers, who must slow down before each level crossing and visually check whether the barriers and sound signals have been activated.
Helou also insisted that “Via Rail will never compromise on safety and will continue to actively collaborate with CN and Transport Canada.”
In a document filed in court, VIA said the delays are “unprecedented” in terms of its drop in on-time arrivals.
Bloc asks for change
The Bloc Québécois is calling on the federal government to lift the restrictions imposed by CN unless it provides proof they are essential to the safety of citizens.
“Before the application of these measures, Venture trains had made thousands of journeys without incident,” says Bloc MP Xavier Barsalou-Duval. “There is a way to ensure a rail service that is safe, efficient and reliable for passengers.”
The office of Transportation Minister Anita Anand has not yet responded to a Bloc Québécois letter.
In a statement, Transport Canada said it does not have intervenor status in the legal dispute between CN and Via Rail. It added any move on the regulatory front would be in the interest of railway security.
