Montreal –
The federal government should move toward giving Via Rail trains more formal rights of way on the tracks than freight trains, said Via Rail CEO Mario Peloquín.
The Crown corporation’s chief executive officer said in an interview that the measure will reduce travel disruptions caused by Canada’s two major freight railroads (Via runs on the tracks) and will reduce the number of passengers who are regularly delayed. He said the performance of trains will be significantly improved.
It also could bring Canada into line with U.S. regulations, which give priority to Amtrak passenger cars.
Ideally, this measure would work in conjunction with a passenger bill of rights comparable to that currently in place for air travelers to ensure that customers receive compensation for long delays. Yes, Peloquin said.
“Right now, we have no class, no priority. There has been talk of introducing rules to give priority to passenger rail trains, along with a passenger bill of rights similar to what we see in the airline industry, perhaps incomplete.” “Maybe, but I hope it stays the way it is,” said Peloquin, who took the top job at Via in June.
“All we can do now without these rules is ultimately let people go where they want to go.”
The Air Passenger Charter of Rights, announced in 2019, sets out penalties for airlines that violate the rules, with compensation for passengers of up to $2,300 and $1,000, respectively, for issues such as lost baggage and trip delays or cancellations. It is mandatory to do so.
The regulation is currently under review following criticism that it has loopholes that allow airlines to avoid compensation and thousands of customer complaints to the regulator.
In the quarter that ended June 30, Via’s on-time train arrival rate was just 62%, but that was still an improvement from 53% in the year-ago period.
Former Transport Minister Omar Alghabra told the media over the summer that Via was considering ways to improve the traveler experience, including through a bill of rights, despite its shaky performance.
Not everyone in the rail industry is on board.
John Cawley, president of the Canadian Freight Management Association, said giving Via priority over two Tier 1 rail operators, Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City, would further strain an already strained supply chain. He said there would be pressure. , as well as the Charter of Rights.
“Prioritizing passenger rail service over freight rail service would be a tailspin. Freight rail, their customers, and ordinary Canadians should not subsidize the small number of people who use the passenger rail system. We’re going to put it out there,” Corey said.
“Currently, freight rail service in Canada is not optimal from a shipper perspective…Any initiative that reduces the efficiency of freight rail service will not be supported by the (Freight Management Association).”
Corey added that she can sympathize with the travellers. “I once rode the Via and sat on the siding waiting for a freight train to pass.”
Peloquin said that under the Passenger Bill of Rights, there is a good chance that CN or CP will be required to pay compensation if Via’s operations are disrupted, and if that is due to their actions. , said it will further promote smooth operation along the line.
But it could also be a loss for Bea, which already has cash flow problems. Operating loss before government funding reached $120 million in the second quarter. The company has not reached full-year profit since 2017.
Peloquin noted that this is true for passenger rail companies around the world, many of which are government-owned, publicly subsidized or part of diversified operations. He characterized Via as a public utility serving far-flung residents, saying it is “an essential need in many places.”
Despite that need, travel times were longer.
Twenty years ago, passengers could board an express train from Montreal’s Downtown Central Station and arrive at Toronto’s Union Station about four hours after departure, said Greg Gormick, head of On Track Consulting. .
Despite the federal government’s approximately $300 million investment along the Montreal-Toronto Corridor since 2009, the journey currently typically takes about five hours (assuming delays do not disrupt the journey). case).
Part of the slowdown is due to increased traffic along the Metrolinx commuter rail line in the Greater Toronto Area and the CN Line, which Via primarily runs on. Crown owns just 3% of Via’s trucks, Peloquin said.
To ensure timely train access and frequency, Via must negotiate schedule agreements with track owners such as CN.
“You have to go to Metrolinx and then go to CN Rail and say, ‘Can we have an extra time slot to run the passenger train on the right side of your aisle?'” And they say yes or no. ,” Peloquin said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2023.
