Rail passenger numbers are rising, but lagging behind 2019 levels as profit losses mount

MONTREAL — Via Rail says passenger numbers continued to rise last year, but were still below 2019 levels.

The Crown Corporation says about 4.1 million passengers boarded its trains in 2023, a quarter more than the previous year.

Via says increased demand boosted sales 29 percent to $430.7 million.

However, the numbers were well below Via’s record of five million passengers in 2019, and operating losses actually rose eight percent year-over-year to $381.8 million.

Ninety-six percent of passengers and more than four-fifths of revenue in 2023 came from the corridor between Quebec City and Windsor, Ont.

Via chairman Françoise Bertrand says a new fleet of trains introduced last year for the corridor has improved accessibility and increased the frequency of service on the popular route.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2024.

The Canadian Press