VIA Rail Canada Presents 3-Year Accessibility Plan

On 3 December, VIA Rail Canada marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at its Ottawa Station, presenting its 2026–2029 Accessibility Plan.

The plan was recently submitted to the Government of Canada and focuses on three main areas:

• Integrating accessibility from the start of projects: Ensuring major initiatives, including digital services, internal procedures, and workplace design, consider accessibility at every stage.
• Enhancing the passenger experience: Applying user-centred processes, providing ongoing staff training, and maintaining dialogue with the advisory committee to address the needs of persons with disabilities.
• Promoting an inclusive workplace: Supporting equality of opportunity for all employees and candidates through barrier-free practices.

Mario Péloquin, President and Chief Executive Officer of VIA Rail said:

As Canada’s national intercity passenger rail carrier, we have a responsibility to make transportation accessible to as many people as possible. With unprecedented federal support and the guidance of our accessibility partners, we are delivering a travel experience that removes barriers and expands mobility for all Canadians.

Accessibility is a central consideration for VIA Rail, influencing service design, operational decisions, and the way staff engage with passengers and employees.

Over several years, the Corporation has collaborated with specialists, organisations, and persons with disabilities to improve the inclusivity of its network, digital services, and workplace.

Collaboration has been highlighted as a central component of VIA Rail’s approach. Transport Canada, Ottawa Tourism, members of the Accessibility Advisory Committee, and participants in ongoing consultations have contributed to shaping the solutions now being implemented.

Jonathan Goldbloom, Chair of VIA Rail’s Board of Directors said:

Accessibility is not optional, it is a responsibility directly linked to the rights, dignity, and autonomy of millions of Canadians. Our new plan ensures that inclusive design principles are built into every major decision we make, whether related to digital services or fleet renewal. I also want to pay tribute to VIA Rail’s employees, especially those on the front lines: in stations, on trains, and in customer service and operations. From supporting passengers with visible or invisible disabilities to suggesting improvements that make our services more inclusive, their impact is real, and it is deeply valued.

Federal investments, including those announced in Budget 2024, support the plan. These include funding to renew VIA Rail’s pan-Canadian fleet, which will introduce modern, universally accessible trains starting in 2032.

Annie Koutrakis, Member of Parliament for Vimy and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Jobs and Families said:

Every Canadian deserves the freedom to travel safely and with dignity, with accessibility at the core of the journey. Through collaboration and innovation, VIA Rail’s modernisation plan makes accessibility a cornerstone of progress. Together, we are building a future where accessibility is universal, inclusion is embraced, and every journey is equal.