Mayors from Eastern Ontario are voicing their concerns about VIA Rail’s decision to reduce the number of train trips on the Ottawa-Toronto route this fall, with Kingston’s mayor stating, “less service leads to less ridership.”
VIA Rail shared its updates regarding nine trains operating on the Ottawa-Kingston-Toronto corridor starting Oct. 25, which includes scrapping early morning Train 641 from Ottawa to Toronto and cutting back on trips for several routes.
“The revised schedule will better align service with passenger demand, strengthen network resilience and support more reliable and predictable service,” VIA Rail mentioned in a statement.
“Overall, the revised schedule will result in an average of one fewer daily train between Ottawa and Toronto.”
In a Facebook post, Mayor Bryan Patterson of Kingston expressed he was “incredibly frustrated and disappointed” about the changes made to VIA Rail services.
Patterson noted that Kingston would experience a decrease in trains from 187 to 179 beginning Oct. 25, meaning “eight less VIA trains coming into and out of our community each week.”
“At a time when our community is growing, highways are increasingly congested, and people are looking for reliable alternatives to driving, we should be investing in and expanding VIA service-not cutting it,” Patterson remarked.
“VIA is creating a cycle where less service leads to less ridership, which then becomes a rationale for further cuts. This is not a sustainable approach to building the passenger rail network residents need.”
The mayor of Cobourg described the cancellation of Train 641 as disappointing.
“For many Cobourg residents, VIA Rail is not simply a convenience; it is an important connection to employment, education, family and opportunity,” Mayor Lucas Cleveland stated.
“On behalf of Cobourg Council, I say this decision being taken by VIA is beyond unacceptable for commuters along the vital transportation network.”
In a statement from Cobourg Town Hall, officials expressed concern that these changes could make passenger rail less accessible and convenient for both residents and visitors. They believe that discussing the overall impact of these schedule adjustments on communities throughout the corridor is necessary.
VIA Rail Train 641 operates between Ottawa and Toronto four days weekly, leaving Ottawa at 4:13 a. m., stopping in Kingston at 6:16 a. m. and Cobourg at 7:33 a. m., reaching Toronto at 8:48 a. m.
“Train 641 service will end; however, passengers will still have an early-morning option to Toronto on Train 41 which will depart Ottawa earlier at 4:56 a. m. arriving in Toronto at 9:37 a. m.,” VIA Rail explained.
Currently, Train 41 leaves Ottawa at 5:21 a. m.
Here’s how else the VIA Rail schedule changes as of Oct. 25:
Train 43 from Ottawa to Toronto will now operate just two days per week (Friday and Sunday), with Monday’s trip cancelled.
Train 44 from Toronto to Ottawa will only run on Tuesdays starting Oct. 25; this train currently operates six days weekly including Monday through Friday as well as Sunday departing at 2:23 p. m.
Train 53 traveling from Ottawa to Toronto won’t run on Saturdays after Oct.25 but continues its schedule Sunday through Friday leaving at11:43a. m.
Train54between Ottawaand Torontowillceaseoperationon Sundays. VIAindicatesitwillstilloperate Mondaythrough Saturdaydepartingat5:38 p. m.
Meanwhile,Train644from Torontoto Ottawawillrunoneverydaybeginning Oct25, increasingitsservicefromfive daystothis summer. Train645goingfrom Ottawa To Torontowillbeavailableonlyon Wednesdaysdownfromfive dayseach weekstarting Oct25. Train647operatingfrom Ottawa To Torontowillrunonlyon Sundayswiththe Fridaytripbeingcancelled.
The new fall timetable will also mean that VIA Rail won’t be stopping anymore at Guildwood or Malton stations within the Greater Toronto Area.
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