VIA Rail Canada Hits $514.8 Million Revenue Surge Despite Severe Network Bottlenecks

VIA Rail 2025 revenue increased while passenger traffic remained broadly stable. The operator also continued to manage infrastructure access limits and operational adjustments. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

According to VIA Rail Canada, between 1 January and 31 December 2025, the operator carried 4.4 million passengers. That was broadly in line with the previous year. Revenue reached 514.8 million CAD, up by 36.8 million CAD, or 7.7%. VIA Rail said the rise was partly linked to wider use of fare and service options made available through its updated reservation system.

The company also pointed to several operational challenges during the year. These included restricted access to rail infrastructure, the introduction of new rolling stock, and the complexity of running passenger services on shared track.

VIA Rail 2025 revenue and operating pressures

Limited train path availability affected scheduling and operational consistency on parts of the network. In the Québec City–Windsor corridor, the introduction of 32 new trainsets also required changes to maintenance practices and service preparation.

Interim President and Chief Executive Officer Mathieu Paquette said:

Canadians rely on us every day, and we know how important it is that we deliver for them. 2025 was a complex year, marked by access constraints and the integration of a new fleet, and we recognise that some of these challenges affected the experience of our customers. As a result, we are determined to strengthen reliability, deepen our operational discipline, and deliver the level of service Canadians deserve.

Modernising our fleet is only the first step. Our priority now is ensuring that our operations reflect the full potential of this new equipment. We are concentrating on what we can control: maintenance discipline, departure readiness, and continuous improvement across our operations.

New trainsets and fleet renewal work

VIA Rail completed delivery of 32 new trainsets for the Québec City–Windsor corridor during 2025. After their introduction, the company’s internal focus moved to stabilising performance and adapting maintenance and operating procedures for the new equipment.

The operator also reported progress on procurement for its planned pan-Canadian fleet renewal. During the year, the Request for Qualifications stage was completed. A Request for Proposals was also issued. The programme covers long-distance, regional, and remote services.

In 2025, VIA Rail said self-generated revenue covered 58% of its operating costs. In addition, the company said it is continuing to work on efficiency measures. These include technology-based tools and initiatives intended to reduce fuel consumption.

Chair of the Board Jonathan Goldbloom said:

Passenger rail is a public service designed to connect and support Canadians from coast to coast to coast. While this essential service is subsidised to ensure it remains accessible to all citizens, we are proud of the meaningful progress we are making to reduce our reliance on public funding. Through strong financial stewardship and a commitment to innovation, VIA Rail is working hard to narrow the subsidy gap while continuing to deliver safe, reliable, accessible and sustainable service for Canadians.

Current priorities for VIA Rail

The company also referred to its participation in the Government of Canada’s Canada Strong Pass programme in 2025. The initiative offered reduced fares to selected travellers. VIA Rail said it helped expand travel opportunities for families and young adults.

VIA Rail said its current priorities include strengthening operational reliability. They also include supporting the continued integration of new rolling stock and advancing fleet renewal work. It also noted that coordination with host railways remains part of its network operations.

The company’s annual report is available online through its website.

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