The federal government should grant VIA Rail trains official right of way on railway tracks, with priority over freight trains. This is what VIA Rail CEO Mario Péloquin believes.
In an interview, the Crown corporation’s CEO argued the measure would reduce travel disruptions caused by Canada’s two main freight railways – whose tracks are used by VIA Rail trains – and would considerably improve the performance of passenger trains, which are periodically late.
It would also bring Canada in line with regulations in the United States, where Amtrak passenger cars have priority.
Ideally, this measure would go hand in hand with a passenger charter of rights comparable to that currently in force for air travelers, to ensure that customers receive compensation for long delays, Mr. Péloquin continued.
“Now we have no class or priority. There was talk of putting in place rules giving priority to passenger trains. I would love that, with a passenger bill of rights similar to what we see in the airline industry, as imperfect as it may be,” said Mr. Péloquin, who became head of VIA Rail in June.
“All we can commit to doing right now, without these rules, is getting people where they want to go, eventually. »
If the interruption of a VIA Rail trip was caused by either Canadian National Railway or Canadian Pacific Kansas City, they would be the ones paying, further encouraging smooth operations along the line , he estimated.
The Air Passenger Bill of Rights, rolled out in 2019, provides penalties for airlines that break the rules, including compensation for lost baggage and travel delays or cancellations – for maximums of $2,300 and $1,000. respectively.
The regulations are currently being overhauled in response to criticism of some loopholes that allow airlines to avoid compensation and a surge in customer complaints to the regulator.
During the quarter ended June 30, VIA Rail saw only 62% of its trains arrive on time, which still represents an improvement, since this proportion had been 53% a year earlier.
Former Transport Minister Omar Alghabra told media this summer that he was exploring measures to improve the passenger experience amid VIA Rail’s shaky performance, including through a declaration of rights.
But not everyone in the rail sector agrees.
Canadian Cargo Management Association president John Corey said giving VIA Rail priority over CN and CPKC would put pressure on an already strained supply chain, just like a bill of rights would .
“Prioritizing passenger rail service over freight rail service would be turning the world upside down. “Freight railways, their customers and Canadians in general would be subsidizing the few people who use the passenger rail system,” Corey argued.
“Currently, freight rail service in Canada is not optimal from a shipper perspective […] Any initiative that would make freight rail service less efficient would not be supported by [the Canadian Freight Management Association] . »
Mr. Corey added that he could sympathize with travelers: “I once took VIA Rail and found myself waiting on a siding waiting for a freight train to pass. »