VIA Rail reports continued impact of pandemic in Q1

As Canada continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, VIA Rail Canada reported a decrease of 80.2% in ridership and an 80.9% drop in passenger revenue in first-quarter 2021 compared with levels during the same period last year.

As a result of lower demand in Q1, VIA Rail is implementing a plan for reduced capacity for services in operation. The railroad continues to manage its operating expenses, which decreased by 34.1% during the first quarter, according to a news release.

Cost-cutting measures include: 

• reduction of some operating expenses in proportion to the level of operations;
• temporary employee layoffs;
• reduction of publicity and advertising initiatives;
• reduction of services offered in stations; and
• decrease of administrative costs and the postponement of nonessential initiatives.

In addition, VIA Rail has deployed strict protocols of sanitary measures since March 2020, railroad officials said.