Saturday, June 14, 2025
VIA Rail Canada closed the year 2024 on a high note, celebrating a wave of achievements that underscore its pivotal role in shaping the future of Canadian transportation. With revenues climbing to an impressive $480.2 million and annual ridership reaching 4.4 million passengers, the national passenger rail service reaffirmed its resilience, adaptability, and forward-looking momentum post-pandemic. More than just a financial rebound, the year was marked by technological advancements, infrastructure overhauls, and the unveiling of a visionary strategic plan that lays the foundation for an integrated, sustainable, and customer-driven railway experience in Canada.
“VIA Rail navigated 2024 with ambition and confidence, looking toward the future, while also addressing daily challenges that exposed certain vulnerabilities,” said Françoise Bertrand, VIA Rail’s former Chairperson of the Board of Directors. “Our promising future is expressed in a new strategic vision focused on transforming our organization to better serve Canadians for generations to come.”
VIA Rail’s VIAction 2030: A Blueprint for the Next Era of Canadian Mobility
In a landmark development for 2024, VIA Rail unveiled its transformative roadmap for the future—its strategic plan known as VIAction 2030. This ambitious five-year plan lays out a sweeping vision for modernizing passenger rail in Canada. It is anchored in five key strategic pillars: operational excellence, customer-centric service, digital transformation, environmental leadership, and national integration. The goal? To not only enhance the current passenger experience but to embed VIA Rail deeply into Canada’s evolving transportation ecosystem.
VIAction 2030 outlines plans to integrate rail more effectively with other modes of transportation, enabling seamless end-to-end mobility for Canadians. Whether commuting in major urban corridors or traveling across provinces, passengers can expect faster, greener, and more convenient journeys powered by new technology and smarter infrastructure.
“This past year laid the foundation for VIA Rail’s future, but it also brought unprecedented challenges,” said Mario Péloquin, President and Chief Executive Officer. “In October, new regulations imposed by the host railway created significant disruptions in our corridor services. Despite these setbacks, Canadians continue to choose train travel in record numbers, and our financial performance remained strong, with a greater-than-expected reduction in our operating deficit.”
Addressing Operational Complexities in the Québec City–Windsor Corridor
Even as VIA Rail charted new territories of growth in 2024, it faced operational headwinds, especially in its busiest region—the Québec City–Windsor corridor. This vital artery, accounting for the bulk of passenger traffic, experienced notable challenges in the fourth quarter due to the introduction of new infrastructure regulations that adversely affected on-time performance.
Recognizing the impact of recent service disruptions, VIA Rail is proactively implementing targeted improvements to strengthen performance and boost reliability across its network. Enhanced communication with passengers, revised scheduling, and ongoing coordination with rail partners are part of the strategic response. The objective is clear: to reinforce passenger confidence and deliver the consistent excellence that Canadian travelers expect.
Full Fleet Modernization Underway in Southwestern Ontario
A monumental shift took place in 2024 with the full deployment of VIA Rail’s new trains in the Southwestern Ontario region. This state-of-the-art fleet is set to cover the entire Québec City–Windsor corridor by summer 2025, ushering in a new era of rail travel across one of Canada’s most critical transportation belts.
These new trains are not just technologically superior; they embody a commitment to inclusivity, comfort, and sustainability. Designed with accessibility at their core, they feature improved boarding systems, ergonomic seating, smoother ride quality, brighter interiors, and faster Wi-Fi connectivity. They are tailor-made for both leisure travelers and corporate passengers who seek productivity and environmental consciousness on the move.
Driving Corporate Sustainability Through Smart Travel Choices
VIA Rail’s modern trains present a compelling case for Canadian businesses aiming to reduce their carbon footprint. As climate concerns reshape corporate travel strategies, integrating rail travel into company mobility policies is emerging as a smart, impactful solution. Compared to air or road travel, VIA Rail’s trains produce significantly lower emissions while maintaining high standards of comfort and productivity. For corporations committed to ESG (environmental, social, governance) values, sustainable train travel offers both operational efficiency and reputational gain.
Empowering Passengers with Digital Tools: VIA’s New Mobile App
Digital innovation remained at the forefront of VIA Rail’s strategy in 2024. Building upon its new reservation system rolled out in 2023, the Corporation introduced an intuitive, feature-rich mobile app in 2024. This app gives passengers unprecedented control over their journeys—from seamless booking to real-time train updates and easy access to VIA Preference accounts.
The new app marks a significant leap in user experience, reflecting VIA Rail’s broader ambition to harness technology in simplifying and enhancing every aspect of the travel journey.
A Game-Changing Investment: Canada Funds New Pan-Canadian Fleet
Perhaps the most defining moment of 2024 came with the Government of Canada’s announcement of an unprecedented investment to replace VIA Rail’s pan-Canadian fleet. Included in the federal budget, this monumental funding initiative is the largest in VIA Rail’s history. It opens the door for the Corporation to select a qualified supplier to design and manufacture a fleet of next-generation trains that reflect modern standards of comfort, sustainability, and accessibility.
This new fleet will ensure long-distance and regional routes are equipped with the infrastructure to match evolving passenger expectations while also enhancing national connectivity. It aligns with Canada’s broader transportation goals of reducing emissions, modernizing infrastructure, and providing equitable access to all citizens.
The Road Ahead: A Connected, Inclusive, and Sustainable Rail Network for All Canadians
VIA Rail’s progress in 2024 represents more than numbers—it signals a renewed commitment to building a passenger rail network that serves as the backbone of a greener and more connected Canada. From tackling operational challenges and introducing cutting-edge trains to digitizing customer experience and unlocking historic investments, the Corporation is actively rewriting what passenger rail means for the country.
As the momentum continues into 2025 and beyond, Canadians can expect to see a future where travel by train is not only efficient and convenient, but also inclusive, climate-friendly, and deeply integrated into the national identity.
“The history of Canada is closely intertwined with the history of train travel, and VIA Rail’s long-distance routes hold a strong place in Canada,” said Jonathan Goldbloom, Chair of the Board of Directors. “The replacement of VIA Rail’s pan-Canadian fleet is essential to allow VIA Rail to maintain its services and will also ensure that the next generations of Canadians have access to modern comfortable trains in every corner of the country.”
