Via Rail announces ‘most’ services will be back in operation this week

Rail services between Toronto and Windsor are currently in full service, but the independently-operated Crown corporation has announced partial service of the Montreal-Toronto and Toronto-Ottawa routes will resume on Mar. 3

Recent updates showed that the company anticipated resuming service last week, but continued pressure from the Wet’suwet’en solidarity movement has caused further delays. VIA Rail is reaching out directly to passengers with reservations to update them on the latest developments, according to the Mar. 1 Travel Advisory update on the company’s website.

“We would like to inform all our customers that this transition will take time and have an impact on the reservation system,” said the update.

A total 940 trains have been cancelled and 164,000 customers have been affected by cancellations. Customers could be eligible to receive full refunds.

Last week, OPP removed Tyendinaga Mohawk First Nations from their territory, near Barryville, Ont., under an injunction order obtained by CN Rail. The police dismantled the  encampment that was not on the rails, but close enough to prevent trains from passing safely.

The Tyendinaga, in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en, are standing their ground and have begun constructing a camp on Wyman Road, vowing not to stand down until the demands of the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs are met.