VIA Rail delayed its pilot all-day Montreal–Toronto service due to Canadian National’s operational limitations, and officials refuse to drop the project despite local opposition and infrastructure issues.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

VIA Rail delays nonstop Montreal–Toronto pilot launch
Photo: www.viarail.ca

VIA Rail and express service across Canada’s large cities

The express pilot would reduce schedules by 30–40 minutes by bypassing stops. And because many travelers would be supportive, officials make the case that the nonstop service can redo Canadian passenger rail and bring business travelers to the service.

Don’t miss…CN winter plan strengthens freight resilience in 2025–26

But Kingston was against the plan, afraid of losing five weekly trains. The local officials emphasized that national efficiency was not supposed to decrease service access to smaller communities that rely on seasonal connections.

VIA Rail juggling between efficiency and local issues

The carrier presses on with negotiations with CN to address schedules. And as 70% of customers asked for service, officials remain optimistic that one-stop operations will improve competitiveness within North America’s busy mobility sector.

Industry critics note a bigger problem: passenger trains in Canada rely on tracks owned by freight. Owing to this, national objectives and local requirements will always clash until structural adjustments enhance access to rails and long-term planning.

Source: www.trains.com

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:

Don’t miss…Etihad Rail unveils train designs and ticketing for 2026 launch

Why did VIA Rail delay the nonstop Montreal–Toronto service?

VIA Rail delayed the service because Canadian National’s operational constraints prevented smooth scheduling. The company plans to relaunch once issues are resolved.

How much travel time could VIA Rail’s nonstop service save?

The express plan would reduce journey times by about 30 to 40 minutes compared with current schedules, making the Montreal–Toronto corridor more competitive with air travel.

Does the VIA Rail project affect smaller communities like Kingston?

Yes. Kingston expected to lose five daily trains. Local leaders argue that future plans must balance faster express routes with maintaining regional connectivity.