RENAISSANCE I:
THE BEGINNING OF PASSENGER
RAIL REVITALIZATION IN CANADA

In April 2000, the Government of Canada affirmed its long-term commitment to a sustainable passenger rail service by confirming VIA Rail's base subsidy of $171 million per year and provided an additional $401.9 million in capital funding over five years for the revitalization of passenger rail services in Canada. The capital funding targeted the following three areas: 

• $85 million for health and safety concerns to provide waste retention systems on all passengers cars and to provide signals on VIA Rail-owned lines in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor;
• $140.9 million for urgent capital projects to replace worn-out locomotives (with concurrent benefits of reduced greenhouse gases), to repair damaged equipment, to undertake refurbishment of rail cars, and to upgrade stations; and
• $176 million to acquire new passenger cars eliminating sold-out conditions during peak travel periods; to provide additional equipment to expand frequencies in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor; and to undertake strategic track improvements in the corridor.

VIA Rail's capital investment program, launched in the fall of 2000, is responding to the growing demand for a modern, efficient, coast-to-coast passenger rail service. It is providing much-needed, modern equipment, better tracks and infrastructure, better station facilities, improved safety and environmental practices – all as part of a truly modern network of services linking over 450 communities across Canada.

New Renaissance Passenger Cars 

VIA Rail has purchased state-of-the-art passenger cars, expanding its total fleet by one-third. Specially designed for short-haul business travel and one-night sleeping car service, the new cars can operate at speeds over 175 km/h, and incorporate the best of current technology and advanced safety features.

The first new passenger cars were introduced on the Enterprise, VIA Rail's Montreal-Toronto overnight service, in June of 2002. In fall 2002, Renaissance cars went into daytime service on the Montreal-Quebec City and Montreal-Ottawa routes. The first set of longer distance Renaissance cars entered service on VIA Rail's service between Montreal and Halifax at the end of July 2003. The remaining new cars will be phased into service by mid 2004.

New Locomotives 

VIA Rail has purchased 21 new high-speed General Electric Genesis locomotives, which are helping to shorten trip times in VIA Rail's busiest markets. The locomotives have a maximum operating speed of 175 km/h, with highly efficient acceleration and deceleration performance, advanced safety systems and significantly improved fuel consumption and emission controls.
The new locomotives entered service in November and December 2001.

Refurbished Equipment 

To reduce operating costs, and to ensure safe, reliable operations, VIA Rail has also repaired and upgraded existing equipment. This includes modernizing the Light, Rapid and Comfortable fleet of cars with updated technology and improving the interiors. VIA Rail has also completely overhauled and refurbished rail diesel cars used on Vancouver Island and in northern Ontario. The refurbished equipment is dramatically improving the reliability and comfort of these services.

Infrastructure Improvements 

A $28 million investment in infrastructure between Ottawa and Montreal has already led to a 25-minute improvement in best trip time. Additional investments to upgrade and improve infrastructure will begin to address growing demand for faster passenger service in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor. Major improvements will include extended passing tracks, sidings, and other measures to reduce speed restrictions, as well as improved signaling and traffic control systems. Work to upgrade the Montreal-Toronto track is scheduled for 2004 and 2005.

Station Improvements 

VIA Rail has launched a system-wide program to upgrade passenger stations and facilities. A two-year $10 million investment in VIA Rail's busiest facility, Toronto Union Station, is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2003. Other major projects already completed include renovations to stations in Halifax, Moncton, Quebec City, Kingston, Oshawa, Oakville, Kitchener, Brantford and Jasper, and new facilities in London, Campbellton and Prince Rupert. VIA Rail has also opened Barrhaven/Fallowfield station in the west-end of Ottawa. 

Installation of Car Waste Management Systems 

The Quebec City-Windsor corridor fleet has already been fitted with waste retention systems. New waste management systems will be applied to the long-distance passenger cars between 2003 and 2005.

October 2003