3 a. VIA Rail Canada Inc. August 31, 2024, Train Incident

VIA Rail Canada Inc. August 31, 2024, Train Incident

On Saturday, August 31, 2024, Via Rail Canada Inc.’s (VIA Rail) passengers were stuck for approximately 10 hours when VIA Rail train 622 broke down between Montreal and Québec City after experiencing two consecutive mechanical issues.
During this time, buses were not available in the region to offer alternative transportation. Electricity, air conditioning and washrooms were periodically shut down to allow for repairs and coupling with another train.
VIA Rail has stated it is providing affected passengers with a full refund (equivalent to the price of their one-way ticket) as well as a credit for the same amount to buy a future trip.

Following the incident of August 31, 2024, the Government of Canada has instructed VIA Rail to mandate a third party to independently investigate the events and its response during this specific incident and to review the current emergency management action plan for significant disruptive events. VIA Rail must also improve training for its employees and review its breakdown procedures.
This direction includes keeping passengers' wellbeing at the forefront during major service disruptions, including keeping them informed in a timely manner, providing basic services (e.g., potable water, food, functioning toilets, internet connectivity) by looking at alternative solutions and providing them with other options to reach their destination quickly.
VIA Rail has also been requested to work with Transport Canada officials and keep them informed of the findings from the Crown corporation’s assessment of the mechanical failure of this train, which is part of VIA Rail new Venture trainset. VIA Rail is expected to take the right steps, including working with suppliers, to fully address the problem.

In a typical year, VIA Rail operates over 450 trains per week in all regions of Canada over approximately 12,500 kilometres of rail. It served more than 4.1 million passengers in 2023 and over 400 communities.

Budget 2018 included $1.5 billion for the replacement of VIA Rail’s Québec City–Windsor Corridor fleet with 32 new, modern trainsets that are safer, more accessible, reliable, will have improved amenities, and will be more environmentally friendly.
In 2020, the Government of Canada provided off-cycle funding of $500 million to VIA Rail for ongoing capital projects.
Budget 2022 provided $375.3 million to VIA Rail to enable investments in its facilities and rolling stock and ensure the serviceable life of its legacy rolling stock and address accumulated maintenance deficits and necessary safety work at stations and maintenance centres.
Budget 2023 provided $210 million over five years with $117.4 million in remaining amortization to VIA Rail to conduct maintenance on its trains on routes outside the Québec City–Windsor Corridor and maintain levels of service across its network.
Budget 2024 announced funding for VIA Rail to replace its aging fleet on routes outside the Québec City-Windsor corridor. Funding amounts are not being released to protect the Government’s negotiating position for an upcoming procurement.

VIA Rail operates Canada’s national passenger rail service on behalf of the Government of Canada, offering intercity rail services and ensuring transportation services to regional and remote communities. An independent Crown corporation established in 1977, VIA Rail provides a safe, accessible, efficient, reliable, sustainable and environmentally friendly passenger rail service to Canadians in both official languages.
VIA Rail is a non-agent Crown corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporation Act. VIA Rail does not have its own enabling legislation.
In the Québec City-Windsor corridor, VIA Rail provides intercity service between Canada’s largest business and residential communities. In 2023, this market consisted of both business and leisure travel and represented of 96% of passenger trips taken, and 86% of VIA Rails passenger revenues (81% of total revenues).