VIA Rail tweaks schedules to address delays

VIA Rail Canada Inc. late last week announced that it has modified its Canadian line schedules to address "significant and recurring delays in recent months."

The updated schedule is aimed at giving riders more predictable departure and arrival times, VIA Rail officials said in a press release.

Since the beginning of the line's "peak season" in April, the Canadian has been subject to major delays that eventually led to two trip cancellations in May. For VIA Rail and track owner CN, the issue confirmed the need to revise the schedule.

The new schedule will be in effect for the rest of the season, which ends Oct. 11.

"We continue to work closely with VIA Rail to provide their passengers with a more predictable and reliable travel experience," said JJ Ruest, CN's interim president and chief executive officer. "We are investing [CA$400 million] in new capacity on the busy corridors across Western Canada, used by VIA's Canadian and the many freight trains carrying goods vital to moving our nation's economy, to provide safe and efficient rail service."