Understanding the Prolonged Journey of VIA Rail: Why Are Trains So Delays?

VIA Rail is a well-known passenger railway service in Canada, connecting various cities across the country. However, passengers often complain about the prolonged journey times. This article delves into the reasons behind these delays, providing clarity on the complex interplay of track ownership, freight traffic, and maintenance schedules.

The Intricate Landscape of Track Ownership

The issue of VIA Rail's delayed schedules is amplified by the fragmented nature of track ownership in Canada. With the exception of a few stretches, VIA Rail does not own the trackage it runs on. Instead, most tracks are owned by other companies, such as the Canadian National Railway (CN), Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), and Metrolinx. This ownership distribution is critical to understanding why VIA Rail faces such delays.

Railway Priorities and Delays

Due to freight traffic prioritization, passenger trains often have to make way for freight trains. Freight trains are given higher priority for several reasons. Firstly, freight trains are longer and more critical for transporting goods. Secondly, freight railroads are more mindful of their overall efficiency, which is impacted by the number of passenger trains they have to accommodate. This leads to a frequent need for VIA trains to use sidings to let freight trains pass through. As a result, passenger trains are subject to wait times, further extending their journey duration.

Single-Track Versus Double-Track Lines

Compounding the issue is the fact that many railway lines are single-tracked, especially in remote areas. Single-track lines are challenging for passenger trains because they can only proceed once a freight train has passed, which can take a significant amount of time. Even in regions with double-tracked lines, sidings are limited, further exacerbating the problem.

Investment in Infrastructure and Maintenance

Unfortunately, the maintenance of railway tracks is often influenced by the frequency of traffic. Freight trains receive more preemptive maintenance due to the volume and nature of their cargo. This leads to higher standards of track maintenance on routes with more freight traffic, such as the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor. Conversely, areas with fewer freight trains, including many sections VIA Rail uses, often have lower maintenance standards, slowing down passenger trains during their journey.

Historical Context of VIA Rail Track Ownership

Historically, VIA Rail faced even more significant delays as a result of the sale of a majority of its trackage to CN in the 1980s. With the sale, VIA Rail had to adhere to CN's rules, which often required frequent sidings for passing freight trains. This often pushed travel times back by several hours. Although a new contract was negotiated to address these issues, delays persist.

Quebec City-Windsor Corridor vs. Other Areas

The Quebec City-Windsor Corridor, which has a greater frequency of passenger service, maintains tracks to higher standards. Passenger trains in this corridor rarely face significant delays due to other VIA trains or accidents. However, outside this corridor, delays are relatively common, especially when encountering sidings and waiting for freight trains to pass.

Understanding the intricate factors affecting VIA Rail's schedules can help passengers prepare for potential delays. By providing context on track ownership, freight priorities, and maintenance schedules, passengers can better appreciate the complexities involved in railway operations and plan their journeys accordingly.