VIA Rail reports ridership growth in 2023

VIA Rail Canada Inc. in 2023 reached its highest ridership level since 2019. Year over year, ridership climbed 24.7% to 4.1 million passengers, the company announced this week.

In addition, total revenue shot up 29.2% to CA$197.7 million due to an increase in service frequencies and higher demand.

"It was a pivotal year for VIA Rail in 2023 as we introduced new equipment, launched a modern new reservation system, restored several key train frequencies in the Quebec City–Windsor corridor and achieved a significant increase in revenues," said VIA Rail Chair Francoise Bertrand in a news release. "The end result is that we were able to better serve our customers and build the foundation for our future growth."

Last year also marked the arrival of VIA Rail's new President and CEO Mario Peloquin, who joined the company in June 2023.

"VIA Rail has already made substantive progress toward shaping the future of rail travel in Canada, and in 2023 we took significant steps forward, reflecting our commitment to modernization and a better travel experience for our passengers," said Peloquin.

The new corridor fleet's entry into service continued in 2023, allowing VIA Rail to offer a more comfortable, fully accessible and more sustainable experience to more Canadians along the Quebec City-Windsor corridor, VIA Rail officials said.

In October 2023, VIA Rail officially launched the commercial service of the new fleet on the Ottawa-Toronto route. As a result, the four major cities and communities along the route are now connected by rail, they said.