Ottawa VIA Rail Passengers Stranded Over 9 Hours
Dozens of VIA Rail passengers faced significant delays due to a service disruption in Brockville, Ontario. This incident occurred when train 669 experienced a mechanical failure on Wednesday, leading to extensive delays across the rail corridor.
Details of the Incident
VIA Rail confirmed that trains 669, 48, and 54 were impacted by this disruption. Efforts to couple the disabled train 669 to a rescue train were unsuccessful. Ultimately, a complex transfer operation was initiated:
- Passengers from train 669 were moved to train 54.
- Passengers from train 54 were then transferred to train 48.
Train 54 then departed as the new train 669, arriving in Toronto more than eight hours late. VIA Rail stated, “All passengers were transferred safely and without injury.”
Challenges Faced by Passengers
There were no buses available to provide alternative transportation for stranded customers. One passenger narrated on Reddit about the frustrating experience, highlighting the loss of power and the lack of proper amenities on the train. Another passenger shared on X that his daughter was stuck on the train for over six hours after departing Toronto at 5:30 p.m.
Train 48, involved in the rescue operation, was delayed in Brockville to secure train 669. By Thursday morning, 114 passengers from train 48 were safely detrained at Brockville and later boarded train 50 to Ottawa. This train was expected to arrive around noon.
VIA Rail’s Response
VIA Rail acknowledged that the service disruption did not meet the standards expected by their customers. They apologized sincerely to those affected. A thorough review of the mechanical failure and the shutdown of the affected equipment is currently underway.
The company emphasized that while such incidents are rare, prior experiences indicate that even a single delay is unacceptable. All impacted customers will receive a full refund along with a 100% travel credit.
