Toronto area VIA Rail passengers will soon lose service at two stations

VIA Rail passengers in the Toronto area will soon have fewer options when it comes to catching an intercity train, as the Crown corporation looks to end service at two local stations next month.

VIA Rail trains will no longer stop at Guildwood and Malton stations on Oct. 25, meaning commuters who previously relied on either station will have to travel to another stop to connect with VIA service.

For those in Scarborough, the new service adjustments will mean travelling to either Union Station or Oshawa to catch a VIA Rail train. The announcement was included in the Corporation's schedule adjustment memo posted on its website earlier this week.

VIA Rail says it's making the changes as part of its twice-yearly schedule review of its services in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor, which aims to better align schedules with passenger demand.

"VIA Rail will no longer serve Guildwood and Malton to improve overall travel times, given their proximity to Toronto Union Station and easy access to GO Transit and other local transit services," the memo reads.

The changes also extend beyond the two Toronto-area stations, with the Corporation also reducing some services between Toronto and Ottawa. Overall, the revised schedule is set to result in an average of one less daily train between the nation's capital and Toronto.

The cuts have already resulted in pushback from local officials, especially over the loss of VIA service at Guildwood.

Toronto city councillor and deputy mayor Paul Ainslie, who represents Scarborough Guildwood, wrote on his website that the station is an "essential transportation asset" that connects local residents to communities across the province.

"Removing service would make travel less convenient, increase travel times, and reduce transportation options for thousands of residents," Ainslie said, noting that the loss of service could disproportionately affect those who depend on local access to intercity rail, including seniors and students.

"Scarborough deserves convenient and reliable intercity rail service. Residents should not be forced to travel considerable distances to access a service that is already available in their community," he continued.

"We are asking VIA Rail to listen to the concerns of Scarborough residents and reconsider any plans that would reduce service at Guildwood Station. Keeping this station active and accessible is in the best interest of our community and the region as a whole."

Kingston Mayor Bryan Patterson also released a statement condemning the schedule adjustments, writing, "I am incredibly frustrated and disappointed to hear about the latest VIA schedule changes and what they could mean for the future of passenger rail service in Kingston, and frankly more broadly across Ontario and the country."

Mayor Patterson noted that as a result of the changes, Kingston will see weekly trains reduced from 187 to 179 per week.

"VIA is creating a cycle where less service leads to less ridership, which then becomes a rationale for further cuts. This is not a sustainable approach to building the passenger rail network residents need," he wrote.

The following VIA Rail service adjustments will also begin starting Sunday, Oct. 25:

• Train 43 from Ottawa to Toronto will be reduced to Friday and Sunday, instead of the previous Monday, Friday, and Sunday
• Train 44 from Toronto to Ottawa will only run on Tuesdays.
• Train 53 from Ottawa to Toronto will continue to run daily except for Saturdays
• Train 54 from Ottawa to Toronto will continue to run daily except for Sundays
• Train 644 from Toronto to Ottawa will run daily, as opposed to just Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
• Train 645 from Ottawa to Toronto will only run on Wednesdays
• Train 647 from Ottawa to Toronto will only run on Sundays, as opposed to Fridays and Sundays