“We have to wait”: still punctuality problems at VIA Rail

Passengers annoyed by the lack of punctuality of VIA Rail trains must still be patient, since a new instruction issued to drivers has caused further delays in recent days.

• Also read: Stuck for more than 10 hours on a VIA Rail train: a passenger recounts what it was like on board

In fact, trains must now slow down when approaching level crossings in order to activate the light signals intended for motorists.

Delays of one hour are sometimes expected before certain departures. Some travelers met at the Quebec station said they were resigned to the successive delays.

“I just came back from a trip, so it’s okay for me. I have nothing to do. However, if I needed to do something, like work, it would be more difficult,” said a vacationer.

“He was supposed to arrive at a quarter to twelve, after that at ten to twelve, after that at noon… He finally arrived around eleven eleven,” said a customer.

“We arrived a little later than expected, but it went well,” said another woman.

“We have to wait, don’t we? There you go, I understand. It happens, it’s life,” added one man.

VIA Rail and CN have expressed a dispute between the two organizations in the management of schedules, according to statements sent to TVA Nouvelles. However, they say they are ready to collaborate to correct punctuality problems while reiterating their commitment to the safety of their passengers.

Remember that the VIA Rail company was in trouble after passengers were stuck for more than 10 hours on a train following a technical problem last September.

See the explanations in the video above.