Transport Action Atlantic says it’s a bit surprised that VIA Rail has admitted that passenger rail service in the Maritimes is not adequate – something the lobby group has been saying for years.
VIA Rail says the Ocean service between Halifax and Montreal has taken a hit financially since it was reduced from six times per week to three in 2012.
Transport Action Atlantic president Ted Bartlett says aging passenger rail cars are just part of a larger problem that VIA Rail needs to fix.
“There is also a problem of using track belonging to freight railroads and it is becoming increasingly difficult for VIA,” he notes.
Bartlett adds that difficult relationship may also have an impact on the Crown Corporation’s plan to bring back short-haul trains between Moncton and the north shore or Moncton and Halifax.
He adds freight railroads including CN have not been receptive to the idea and he notes the alternative could be for VIA Rail to invest in a dedicated track.
