Picture yourself sitting comfortably on board a modern train that offers a zero-waste experience. Lush green landscapes roll by as you travel to a major Canadian city. From the station, in the heart of a vibrant neighborhood, you can easily catch a bus, subway or streetcar to your destination, all with peace of mind.
Does this vision of travel sound like a dream to you? It’s the reality VIA Rail wants to see as a new era dawns for the railway company. The Canadian icon is transforming the way it does business to redefine the experience of travelling by train.
«I fundamentally believe in passenger rail’s potential and, most of all, I don’t want to wait to get things going,1»
This year, VIA Rail plans to surpass its last record for ridership set in 2019. Upgrades are already underway, with a new reservation system offering a simpler, more intuitive experience, and new trains in service in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor. «And we have no intention of slowing down. By the end of the year, two-thirds of trains will be in service, and the entire fleet by summer 2025,» says Péloquin.
To be at the heart of Canada’s passenger journey, VIA Rail has adopted a strategic plan with concrete objectives. «By 2030, we’re committed to generating savings equivalent to 15% of our operating deficit, cutting our greenhouse gas emissions by 50% compared to 2005, and increasing our capacity by 18%,» says Péloquin.
In the years ahead, with support from the federal government, the railway company will replace its trains from coast to coast. VIA Rail is convinced that these new, modern and comfortable trains, which will meet the highest accessibility standards, will allow even more Canadians and tourists to explore the country, while continuing to provide essential connections for remote and Indigenous communities.
The key role stations play in integrated mobility
Stations play a key role in VIA Rail’s strategy, one of the cornerstones of which is integrated mobility, a system that lets passengers switch from one means of transportation to another easily and efficiently.
«We’re looking at what’s happening in Europe in terms of strategic hubs, like in Berlin, Madrid or Paris, explains Péloquin. With integrated mobility becoming an increasingly important topic of conversation across the country, I can assure you that VIA Rail will be a driving force in this regard.»
VIA Rail’s Ottawa station is a perfect example of what the Corporation wishes to do across the country. In addition to receiving intercity buses and airport shuttles, VIA Rail continues to analyze ways to improve the integration of this station with its surroundings.
VIA Rail’s plans for the Winnipeg station, in a city on the rise, already take into account the need for a transportation hub. In Toronto, the maintenance centre’s massive transformation could allow the company to become a catalyst for public transportation, hosting not only its own operations but also potentially those of other partners.
«From Halifax to Vancouver to Montreal, city by city, we aim to reach out to municipal and business stakeholders to forge collaborations, identify development opportunities around our stations and act as a catalyst,» says Vanessa Cherenfant, Chief Strategy Officer at VIA Rail.
She notes that, ultimately, this new strategic plan will help convince more people to take the train as a sustainable transportation solution, while contributing to urban socioeconomic development and the future of generations to come.
A more accessible, eco-friendly and connected experience
At the Ottawa station, plans are underway for a pilot project to improve accessibility that is slated for launch by the end of the year. It’s a mobile app that uses remote sensing and geolocation technologies to allow users to get around independently.
Those who prefer to talk to a real person will still be able to do so. «The quality of service our employees provide on board trains and at the station is something our customers really appreciate,» says Vanessa Cherenfant.
VIA Rail is also on its way to offering one of the world’s first zero-waste experiences on board the new Quebec City-Windsor corridor fleet by the end of 2025. «We’re looking at three things: reducing all packaging ahead of time, improving sorting on the train and optimizing post-trip collection,» says the Chief Strategy Officer
In concrete terms, this will mean collecting recyclable and compostable materials using modernized equipment built into the design of the new trains.
New technologies will be put to good use, not only to enhance passenger and staff experience but also to continue contributing to a more sustainable future. For example, an ongoing pilot project is currently testing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
«AI is guiding the way our locomotive engineers drive to help reduce fuel consumption. Eventually, we’ll use biofuels to further shrink our carbon footprint»
The new vision set out in the strategic plan is both unifying and inspiring. “We’re convinced that this plan will help VIA Rail make a giant leap forward over the next five years,» says Mario Péloquin. “And I invite executives and companies to make train travel an integral part of their business practices and staff commutes. It’s a simple gesture you can implement quickly that will have a tangible and immediate effect on the future.»
Ready-to come aboard? Book your next trip on the VIA Rail website.
1 The majority of Mario Péloquin quotes in this article are from a speech delivered to the https://www.ccmm.ca/en/ on May 23, 2024.
