June 3, 2025

Q1 2025: ON-TIME PERFORMANCE DECLINES SHARPLY, RIDERSHIP DIPS AMID ONGOING OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES

HIGHLIGHTS 

From January 1st to March 31, 2025

 

  • On-time performance dropped sharply to 30%, down from 72% last year, due primarily to restrictions imposed by a third-party infrastructure owner.

  • Ridership declined by 2.7%, marking the first drop since the pandemic recovery began.

  • Revenues increased by 8.3% compared to Q1 2024, despite mounting operational challenges.

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MONTRÉAL, June 3 30, 2025 – VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) faced significant operational challenges in the first quarter of 2025, as on-time performance fell sharply from 72% in Q1 2024 to just 30% in the first quarter of 2025. 

This decline was largely due to arbitrary operational restrictions imposed by CN Rail in the Québec City–Windsor corridor, leading to longer travel times and reduced service reliability, a key concern for passengers.

This disruption coincided with a dip in ridership of 2.7%, marking the first such decline since the recovery from the pandemic began.

 

Despite these headwinds, VIA Rail recorded an 8.3% increase in revenues compared to the same period in 2024, reflecting continued strength in other areas of its operations and service offerings.

“We want to reassure our passengers that VIA Rail’s operations are safe and fully compliant with all regulatory requirements,” said Mario Péloquin, President and CEO of VIA Rail. “The service disruptions we are experiencing are the direct result of infrastructure restrictions imposed by CN, restrictions that we believe are arbitrary and unnecessary. We have formally appealed this situation in court while continuing to engage with Transport Canada with a goal of finding a resolution that restores reliable, efficient service to the millions of Canadians who depend on passenger rail.”

Jonathan Goldbloom, Chairperson of the Board, added: “CN’s restrictions have severely impacted our ability to fulfill our public service mandate: on-time performance has plummeted, customer satisfaction has eroded, and confidence in passenger rail is being undermined. We will never compromise on safety and remain committed to working with our partners to put an end to this unsustainable and unjustified situation.” 

 

You can consult the full quarterly report here: https://media.viarail.ca/en/reports