VIA Rail’s ridership rose for 11th-straight quarter in Q3

VIA Rail Canada Inc.'s third-quarter ridership rose 6.2 percent to 1.27 million and passenger revenue increased 5.1 percent to CA$112.3 million compared with third-quarter 2017 figures, the agency reported late last week.

Ridership and revenue in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor — which has the heaviest passenger train frequency in Canada — grew 8.3 percent and 11 percent, respectively, in Q3.

"I am happy to report our 11th consecutive quarter of ridership growth and our 18th consecutive quarter of revenue growth, with noticeable spikes during the Canada Day and Labor Day long weekends," said VIA Rail President and Chief Executive Officer Yves Desjardins-Siciliano in a press release.

For the quarter, the railroad also recorded a 4.7 percent increase in total revenue to CA$118 million and 5.3 percent gain in operating funding to CA$45.4 million, while operating expenses climbed 10.5 percent to CA$163.4 million and the operating loss increased by 20.5 percent to CA$45.4 million.

In terms of operating statistics, passenger miles dropped 1.7 percent, resulting in a 6.2 percent decrease in load factor. The operating deficit per passenger mile increased 7.6 percent.