VIA Rail Canada has published its 2024 annual report, highlighting a year of growth and long-term planning amid operational constraints.
Notably, the company recorded increased revenues and passenger numbers, launched a new strategic plan, and secured funding for a major fleet renewal, all while addressing performance challenges in key corridors.
According to the report, VIA Rail’s total revenues reached 480.2 million CAD in 2024, representing an increase of 49.5 million CAD (11.5%) compared to 2023. Passenger numbers also rose, with 4.4 million journeys recorded over the year—an increase of 272,000 (6.6%).
These results reflect a continued recovery in demand for rail travel across Canada, building on the momentum following the pandemic.
Despite these gains, VIA Rail acknowledged ongoing operational difficulties, particularly in the Québec City–Windsor corridor, where new infrastructure regulations introduced in October 2024 affected on-time performance. VIA Rail noted that it is working to address these disruptions to ensure more reliable service delivery.
Mario Péloquin, President and Chief Executive Officer said:This past year laid the foundation for VIA Rail’s future, but it also brought unprecedented challenges. In October, new regulations imposed by the host railway created significant disruptions in our corridor services. Despite these setbacks, Canadians continue to choose train travel in record numbers, and our financial performance remained strong, with a greater-than-expected reduction in our operating deficit.
Notably, 2024 saw the public release of VIAction 2030, a five-year strategic plan intended to guide the comapny’s development through to the end of the decade. The plan sets out core priorities aimed at improving operations, enhancing the passenger experience, and positioning VIA Rail as a leader in integrated mobility across the country.
Françoise Bertrand, VIA Rail’s former Chairperson of the Board of Directors said:VIA Rail navigated 2024 with ambition and confidence, looking toward the future, while also addressing daily challenges that exposed certain vulnerabilities. Our promising future is expressed in a new strategic vision focused on transforming our organization to better serve Canadians for generations to come.
Progress was also made on the introduction of a new fleet in the Québec City–Windsor corridor. By summer 2025, all trains in this region are expected to be replaced with modern, accessible, and more environmentally efficient rolling stock. These new trains offer improved passenger amenities, including ergonomic seating, greater stability, and enhanced connectivity—features designed to meet the needs of both leisure and business travellers.
Complementing this investment in physical infrastructure, VIA Rail also introduced a new mobile app in 2024. The app builds on the reservation system launched the previous year and offers passengers improved tools to manage bookings and loyalty accounts on the move.
A significant milestone in 2024 was the federal government’s decision to fund the replacement of VIA Rail’s pan-Canadian fleet. This investment will support the procurement of new trains for long-distance and regional services outside the Québec City–Windsor corridor. VIA Rail will now proceed with the process to select a supplier to deliver a fleet that meets modern standards for comfort, accessibility, and environmental performance.
The full annual report is available here.
