President and Chief Executive Officer of Via Rail, Mario Péloquin, is set to retire next month amidst increased scrutiny of the Crown corporation. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon’s office announced that Péloquin will step down in mid-January, thanking him for his service to VIA Rail over the past two-and-a-half years.
Having dedicated 41 years to the transportation industry, Péloquin’s career journey began as an operator and rail-traffic controller before transitioning to executive roles in both the public and private sectors, as detailed in his biography on Via’s website.
The decision for Péloquin’s retirement coincides with growing dissatisfaction among passengers regarding the rail service. Concerns have been raised about the rising ticket prices and significant delays that have led to financial losses for the company. Notably, Via Rail has distributed $31 million in travel vouchers to numerous passengers affected by train delays exceeding one hour due to new speed restrictions at rail crossings on CN tracks.
Recently, approximately 300 passengers endured lengthy delays, up to 13 hours, when a Via Rail train encountered mechanical issues near Brockville, Ontario. The company’s on-time performance in 2023 was notably lower than in 2013, dropping by 23 percentage points to 59%, according to data provided to CBC News.
Péloquin’s departure aligns with the government’s progress in establishing Canada’s inaugural high-speed rail network. Minister MacKinnon disclosed plans for the initial phase of the project, connecting Ottawa and Montreal, to commence construction in 2029.
The upcoming changes at Via Rail come amidst a transformative period for the national rail service, marked by operational challenges and the government’s ambitious high-speed rail initiative.
