Via Rail has halted a pilot initiative to provide direct service between Montreal and Toronto because of “operational constraints” with CN, the rail service says.
Via Rail was gearing up to launch a three-month nonstop service test on Sept. 29 on four trains travelling between the two cities. The purpose of the pilot project was to determine demand for expedited travel between Montreal and Toronto.
The Via Rail trains chosen to be part of the pilot initiative—trains 60, 61, 68, and 69—would bypass their usual stops in Cornwall, Brockville, Kingston, and Belleville while travelling between the two urban hubs.
The Crown corporation has since announced that the direct service test has been paused and trains will continue to make their usual stops in eastern Ontario….