Fact Check: VIA Rail's on-time performance dropped from 72% to 30% due to CN's speed restrictions.

Fact Check: VIA Rail's On-Time Performance Drop

What We Know

VIA Rail Canada reported a significant decline in its on-time performance during the first quarter of 2025. According to their quarterly report, the on-time performance dropped from 72% to 30% compared to the same period the previous year. This drastic decrease has been attributed primarily to speed restrictions imposed by Canadian National Railway (CN), which operates much of the track that VIA Rail uses (Canadian Press, VIA Rail Press Release).

VIA Rail's CEO, Mario Péloquin, described these restrictions as “arbitrary and unnecessary,” stating that they severely impacted the company's ability to meet its public service obligations. He noted that these operational challenges coincided with a 2.7% decline in ridership, marking the first drop since the pandemic recovery began (Canadian Press, Transport Action).

CN, on the other hand, expressed disappointment at VIA Rail's stance, emphasizing that they have no intention of arbitrarily slowing down VIA trains, as this would affect entire rail corridors. CN's spokesperson pointed out that the speed restrictions were implemented to ensure safety at crossings, particularly for new passenger trains that did not meet the axle requirements set by CN (Canadian Press, Rail Journal).

Analysis

The claim that VIA Rail's on-time performance dropped from 72% to 30% due to CN's speed restrictions is supported by multiple credible sources. The quarterly report from VIA Rail itself confirms this statistic, stating that the decline was largely due to operational restrictions imposed by CN (VIA Rail Press Release).

The reliability of the sources is high, as they include official statements from VIA Rail and CN, as well as analyses from reputable news outlets. The Canadian Press, a well-established news agency, reported the statements from VIA Rail's executives, which adds credibility to the claims made regarding the impact of CN's restrictions on service performance (Canadian Press, Canadian Press News).

However, it is important to note that CN's perspective introduces a counter-narrative, suggesting that VIA Rail's operational choices, including the purchase of trains that did not meet the required safety standards, contributed to the issues faced. This indicates a complex interplay of factors affecting VIA Rail's performance, but the primary statistic regarding the drop in on-time performance remains consistent across sources (Railway Age).

Conclusion

The claim that VIA Rail's on-time performance dropped from 72% to 30% due to CN's speed restrictions is True. The evidence from VIA Rail's own reports and corroborating news articles clearly supports this assertion. While there are additional factors and differing viewpoints regarding the causes of the decline, the statistical drop in on-time performance is well-documented and attributed to the restrictions imposed by CN.

Fact Check: VIA Rail's on-time performance dropped from 72% to 30% due to CN's speed restrictions.