VIA Rail has postponed a pilot project that would have seen local stops removed over a three-month trial period.
The original plan would have meant that VIA Rail trains 60, 61, 68 and 69 would not stop in Cornwall, Brockville, Kingston and Belleville while travelling through eastern Ontario between Montréal and Toronto starting on September 29th.
According to a CTV report, Starting Sept. 29, VIA Rail train 50 from Toronto to Ottawa would also not be stopping in Belleville and Kingston.
On September 29th, Malette released the following statement about the pilot project being postponed.
RELEASE – Bay of Quinte MP Chris Malette is heartened to hear that VIA Rail’s planned pilot project for a direct Montréal–Toronto service, scheduled to launch today, has been postponed.
VIA announced the postponement is “due to operational constraints.”
I want to assure residents of the Bay of Quinte that we will continue to communicate with VIA Rail officials.
If they consider similar future pilot programs or actions that could impact rail passengers in our area, we insist that we be a part of the conversation.
We welcome the news that our residents will not be affected at this time.
(PAUL MARTIN)
