FAQs: What Will Train Tickets Cost for Canada’s Alto High-Speed Rail Service?

Alto has answered the latest round of public questions about its proposed high-speed rail network in Canada.

The update outlines how feedback is being gathered and how key issues, including station locations, property acquisition, environmental protection, noise, and ticket pricing, are being considered as planning work continues.

Alto’s consultation programme includes virtual meetings, roundtables and in-person open house events across the study corridor. The aim is to collect local input and respond to concerns while route analysis and technical studies are still underway.

Station planning in the Montréal region

One frequently raised question concerns the decision to include stations in both Laval and Montreal. Alto states that Laval was identified in the initial federal mandate as one of seven station cities. The city sits between Montréal and Ottawa and serves communities on the North Shore, including Terrebonne, Sainte-Thérèse and Saint-Eustache. Project planners say projected population and employment patterns were factors in the designation.

Property acquisition and compensation

Questions have also focused on how land acquisition would work if a route requires private property. Alto says it intends to prioritise existing transport and utility corridors where possible, such as highways and rail lines, to reduce disruption. No final alignment has yet been selected, so affected properties have not been identified.

Where acquisition is required, the organisation says it will seek negotiated agreements and provide compensation based on market value, including consideration of property condition, improvements and reasonable third-party professional fees. Formal appraisals would form part of the process.

Environmental studies and impact assessment

Environmental protection measures are being developed alongside early corridor studies. Alto reports that it is examining multiple route options and conducting field surveys to document existing ecological and social conditions. The findings are intended to guide avoidance and mitigation measures, which could include wildlife crossings and other design adaptations.

The project will be subject to a federal impact assessment before any final route approval is granted, with environmental effects and mitigation plans reviewed as part of that process.

Noise and community impacts

Noise and vibration impacts are also under study. Alto says outcomes depend on factors such as train speed, technology and local geography. Baseline noise measurements are being collected, with further analysis planned once route options are narrowed. Potential mitigation measures mentioned include continuously welded rail, sound barriers and vibration control systems designed to meet regulatory standards.

Ticket pricing and affordability

On fares, Alto says ticket prices and pricing models have not yet been set because the route and service plan remain in development. The organisation states that affordability forms part of its mandate and that fares are expected to be positioned against other travel options, including car, air and conventional rail.

Options under review include multiple fare categories, different service classes and targeted discounts for certain passenger groups.

This response confirms the plans presented by Mario Péloquin, CEO of Via Rail, at APTA 2025. Here, Péloquin addressed questions about potential pricing differences between VIA Rail’s existing system and the high-speed alternative. While Alto prices have not yet been determined, the government has promised to ensure they are affordable and competitive. However, VIA Rail may remain the more economical option for travellers with time but tighter budgets, much like slower trains in Europe. Crucially, this means passengers won’t be forced into a one-size-fits-all system.

Further consultation events and online engagement are scheduled in the coming weeks, with additional question-and-answer updates planned as studies progress.