VIA Rail Canada will “soon” launch the procurement process to replace its aging fleet on routes outside the Québec City-Windsor Corridor, the passenger rail company reported July 11, following the Canadian government’s confirmation of its funding commitment.
VIA Rail, a federal Crown corporation, is mandated to operate passenger rail in Canada (see map below). The government’s proposed Budget 2024, tabled earlier this year, included funding for fleet replacement, but the actual amount was not released to “protect” the government’s “negotiating position for an upcoming procurement.”
In its July 11 announcement, the government said the new investment “builds on Budget 2018 funding that allowed VIA Rail to replace its fleet in the Québec City-Windsor Corridor,” which in 2023 accounted for 96% of passenger trips and 82% of revenue. The 18th of 32 Siemens Venture trainsets for the Corridor was recently delivered to VIA Rail’s Montreal Maintenance Center in a new, never-before-seen livery, named Lumi. Both investments ensure that VIA Rail will have replaced the entirely of its aging fleet.
The government reported that it “is committed to strengthening passenger rail across the country to keep all Canadians connected and to provide them with an environmentally friendly way to travel.”
“Earlier today, at our Moncton station [in New Brunswick], Minister [of Transport] @PabloRodriguez, joined by Minister [of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defense] @GinettePT and MP [Member of Parliament] @JenicaAtwin, announced significant federal government funding for the replacement our long-distance, regional and remote trains,” VIA Rail reported July 11 on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “We will soon be launching the procurement process to replace the trains on the Ocean, the Canadian, the Winnipeg-Churchill, as well as all our other remote and regional routes across the country.”
More than 300 passenger cars and 40-plus locomotives will be acquired, according to CBC and Daily Hive Urbanized news reports.
“Budget 2024 investments in VIA Rail’s fleet renewal will enhance the passenger experience, promote environmentally friendly travel options, and bring communities and local economies together,” Canadian Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez said.
“Today’s [July 11] announcement is all about connecting communities,” said Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defense. “From rural and remote communities to growing hubs like greater Moncton, this initiative underscores our government’s commitment to supporting economic growth, while strengthening the sustainability and accessibility of the infrastructure Canadians depend on.”
“We are very pleased with this important commitment from the government of Canada which is the latest in a series of significant investments supporting VIA Rail’s transformation,” said Mario Péloquin, who in June 2023 took over as President and CEO of VIA Rail, succeeding Cynthia Garneau. “By renewing our fleet, we will be able to maintain our coast-to-coast services, continue to connect a multitude of communities, and encourage more Canadians to choose rail. These new trains will support our vision of offering a modern, comfortable, accessible, and sustainable experience to our passengers in every region of Canada.”
Budget 2024 also proposes C$462.4 million over five years, starting in 2024-25, with $120.7 million in remaining amortization, for VIA Rail network operations.
Further Reading:
- Four Days on VIA’s Canadian
- VIA Rail Unveils 2030 Strategic Plan
- 2023: A ‘Strong’ Year for VIA Rail
- Adventures on VIA Rail: The Last ‘Budd Train’
- Amtrak-VIA Rail May Return to Detroit River Tunnel
- Report: Péloquin Urges Government to Give VIA Rail Trains Right of Way Over Freight
- VIA Rail Adventures (Second of a Series)
- VIA Rail Adventures (First of a Series)
- Transport Canada Launches RFP for HFR Project
