The services offered by VIA Rail in Eastern Quebec continue to cause dissatisfaction: two round trips per week are offered between Montreal and Halifax with the Ocean train, compared to three before the pandemic.
At this time, there is no timeline for a return to normal.
“We have adapted all our services according to the evolution of the pandemic and we intend to continue to restore services as conditions improve, including on the Ocean”, indicated VIA Rail in an email sent to TVA Nouvelles.
A second frequency on this corridor was added last December.
VIA Rail says it is taking stock of the impacts of the OMICRON wave on its services, but is seeing an increase in demand at the moment.
The Coalition des Gaspésiens pour l’avenir du train believes that a third frequency must be restored as soon as possible for the Montreal-Halifax corridor.
The organization deplores VIA Rail’s lack of consideration for the citizens of Eastern Canada.
“We are aiming higher than that. We aim for a frequency of at least six times a week […] If we want to reduce the number of cars on the road, the number of trucks, we still have to think a little about solutions such as putting more frequencies,” explained the spokesperson for the Coalition, Bernard Babin.
In the fight against climate change, we must offer more options to citizens, according to the Coalition.
Reference-www.journaldequebec.com