Via Rail Launches Trial of Direct Montreal–Toronto Service, Sparks Concerns in Intermediate Communities
Via Rail will begin a three-month trial period on Monday offering direct train service between Montreal and Toronto, eliminating all intermediate station stops. The aim of the pilot project is to assess demand for faster, more efficient travel between Canada’s two largest cities, with Via Rail anticipating trips will be 30 to 40 minutes quicker than current schedules.
According to a statement released Tuesday, Via Rail hopes the trial will encourage travelers to choose train travel over flying or driving. Passengers whose regularly scheduled stops are removed during the trial will be accommodated on the next available train.
However, the move has drawn criticism from communities along the route, especially Kingston, Ontario. Mayor Bryan Patterson expressed frustration that the decision was made without consultation and represents a reduction in service for his city. He noted trains will stop five fewer times daily in Kingston, and fears this could lead to decreased ridership and further service cuts. “It feels like we’re moving in the wrong direction,” Patterson told CBC.He argued that the needs of the one million people living along the route were overlooked and stressed the possibility of collaborative solutions to grow ridership.
Via Rail acknowledged the frustration but maintains Kingston will remain the ”most served” station in Canada,with 154 weekly departures - up to 25 trains per day. the company stated the trains selected for the pilot project currently carry an average of 80 passengers in Kingston daily and already have a high proportion of passengers travelling end-to-end, minimizing the impact on communities along the route.
Megan Knight, CEO of Tourism Kingston, countered that the city needs more train service, emphasizing the importance of sustainable transportation options.
Liberal MP for Kingston and the Islands, Mark Gerretsen, expressed his “extreme disappointment” with the decision and pledged to raise the issue with Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon. He underscored the importance of maintaining strong and reliable regional access, stating that communities like Kingston are ”vital hubs” deserving of frequent service.
