VIA Rail ridership, revenue rose in Q2

VIA Rail Canada Inc. logged a 6.4 percent increase in ridership and a nearly 5 percent increase in passenger revenue in the second quarter compared with the same period last year.

Total passenger revenue in the quarter grew to CA$94.3 million, an increase of CA$420,000, compared with the previous year’s quarter. Total revenue reached nearly CA$100 million, according to VIA Rail’s financial report.

The increase represents the 14th straight quarter of increased ridership and the 21st consecutive quarter of revenue growth, VIA Rail officials said in a press release.

VIA Rail recorded its highest ridership percentage increase for the quarter, nearly 14 percent, on its regional services. The ridership growth was attributed in large part to the return of service between Winnipeg and Churchill in Manitoba, Canada, officials said.

Ridership and passenger revenue on the Quebec City-Windsor corridor climbed by 6.3 percent and 6.7 percent, respectively.