Natalie Crenna, like many others, relocated from a major urban center to a smaller town during the COVID-19 pandemic for cheaper housing and proximity to family. However, she is now contemplating a return to Toronto, not due to a recall to the office, but because the rising costs of train travel are becoming burdensome. Spending around $1,200 monthly on tickets, Crenna is deliberating her options as her mortgage renewal approaches in the coming year.
Numerous commuters, including Crenna, have voiced concerns about Via Rail’s pricing impacting their travel decisions. While overall ticket prices have not seen significant increases, passengers criticize Via’s dynamic pricing system and limited options, which often force regular travelers to pay more for their journeys.
Via Rail has responded, explaining that their pricing strategy is influenced by factors such as train capacity and booking proximity to departure. The company suggests booking approximately two weeks in advance and opting for off-peak travel times to secure lower fares. Despite these recommendations, some commuters like Richard Stoltenberg from Cobourg, Ontario, find the current pricing unsustainable, sometimes paying close to $200 for mid-week round trips.
Tim Hayman, Atlantic president of Transport Action Canada, notes that Via Rail’s pricing model underwent significant changes in late 2023, introducing more flexible options but also increasing fare fluctuations through advanced yield management techniques. While average ticket prices have increased slightly, Via’s adjustments aim to align with inflation and cost escalations.
While Via Rail offers discount cards for frequent travelers, some passengers feel these savings are limited and not always advantageous. Commuters like Sonja Smith from West Lorne, Ontario, express their struggle with rising fares, making rail travel increasingly unaffordable. The discontinuation of commuter passes and fewer train options have further compounded the issue for many regular riders.
Commuters like Natalie Crenna find it challenging to secure affordable fares for their daily trips, especially when restricted to specific train schedules that tend to be pricier. The lack of flexibility and affordability in Via Rail’s pricing structure has made long-term commuting unsustainable for many passengers.