TORONTO – In a statement published on the VIA RAIL website, the company states it is canceling train service until Thursday. VIA says, “Due to the blockade near Belleville, Ontario, train service between Montreal and Toronto and between Ottawa and Toronto is affected in both directions. In view of the current uncertainty, VIA Rail is canceling all departures until Thursday end of day on the Montréal-Toronto and Toronto-Ottawa routes, in both directions.”
The tracks are blocked near Belleville Ontario. Tyendinaga Mohawk people are blocking the rail lines in support of the land protectors in British Columbia on We’tsuwet’en traditional territory. The Tyendinga Mohawk say they will continue their action until Royal Canadian Mounted Police leave We’tsuwet’en territory.
- Services continue to operate between Ottawa and Montreal, between Montreal and Quebec City, and west of Toronto in Southwestern Ontario.
- The following trains of Feb 12 and Feb. 13, 2020 have been cancelled: 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51 (between Ottawa and Toronto), 52, 53, 54, 55, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 644, 645, 646, 647, 650, 651, 668, 669.
- Please note that train 51 will operate between Montreal and Ottawa but canceled between Ottawa and Toronto only.
VIA Rail is processing full refunds for the canceled trips automatically which could take up to 10 days due to the volume of transactions This refund applies to all services affected by the blockades as well as related connections.
Although we remain hopeful that a resolution will be reached, in view of the current uncertainty, reservations can be canceled for a full refund with no service charges up to two days prior to the departure date by calling our VIA Customer Center at 1-888-VIA-RAIL (1-888 842-7245), TTY 800-268-9503 (deaf or hard of hearing). This refund applies to all services affected by the blockades as well as related connections.
For information, passengers can call our VIA Customer Center at 1-888-VIA-RAIL (1-888 842-7245), TTY 800-268-9503 (deaf or hard of hearing). Customers trying from Eastern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area might be unable to get through using the toll-free number. If you are experiencing this issue, please contact us on one of the following temporary local numbers: 613-691-1869 or 647-475-1274.
Next update to this list scheduled for February 13 around 7 pm.
