Nearly 300 passengers were left stranded for up to 13 hours on three Via Rail trains after a breakdown occurred near Brockville, Ontario, on Wednesday night. The incident began when Train 669 traveling from Montreal to Toronto experienced a mechanical failure, leading to a delay of over eight hours for 127 passengers who were transferred to another train. Subsequently, trains 48 and 54 heading from Toronto to Ottawa were also affected, with 168 passengers enduring a wait until around 10:30 a.m. Thursday before being transferred to a different train that arrived in Ottawa at noon.
Passengers expressed frustration and disappointment over the prolonged delay, with one passenger, Kiyavash Parvar, recounting the hope for a quick resolution that never materialized. Via Rail spokesperson Karl Helou mentioned that due to the unavailability of buses in the region, the company prioritized passenger safety by providing essential amenities like heat, food, beverages, and blankets on the stranded trains.
Despite the challenging situation, passengers like Abraham Barron and Isabelle Leduc found ways to pass the time while onboard, with Barron eventually deciding to disembark in Brockville and arranging for his grandfather to pick him up. The delays also affected individuals waiting at stations, such as Dr. Alan Drummond in Perth, who waited several hours to collect his daughter but eventually left due to the extended delay.
Following the incident, all affected passengers had reached their destinations by noon on Thursday. Via Rail expressed regret over the disruption and emphasized their commitment to improving service quality. Federal Transport Minister Steve MacKinnon acknowledged past incidents and stressed the importance of a prompt and effective response during such situations, encouraging Via Rail to enhance their operational processes continually.