The President of Transport Action Atlantic was “quite disappointed” by Via Rail’s decision to not expand service for the east coast route between Halifax and Montreal.
Ted Bartlett was displeased by the crown corporation’s announcement but remains even more baffled by the reasoning.
“What really doesn’t hold up here is the excuse that was used. That it was due to COVID,” said Bartlett.
“COVID is no more dangerous in the Maritimes than it is in the Ontario-Quebec corridor.”
The levels of service offered in the Maritimes continue to be far less compared to provinces with a more concerning COVID-19 situation.
VIA Rail’s service between Quebec City, Que., and Windsor, O.N., continues to run with several trains to accommodate the five separate routes. Meantime, The Ocean relies on one train set for passengers on the east coast.
“That one train set can easily make two round trips a week between Halifax and Montreal,” said Bartlett.
“With a little innovative scheduling, you could actually get five round trips in a two-week span.”
Bartlett believes the crown corporation had other reasons to not increase service.
“What we think is most likely is [VIA Rail is] just trying to protect their bottom line. They’re trying to save money by shortchanging Atlantic Canada so they can restore full service in the corridor, and that’s not right. That’s not fair,” said Bartlett.
VIA Rail said they will continue with one trip per week until at least Nov.15.
