Travellers who rely upon VIA Rail’s tri-weekly train service between Sudbury and White River have officially been left stranded.

The company’s only operating train set in this isolated area of Northern Ontario is undergoing substantial maintenance work until at least the third weekend of February. VIA Rail will not be providing alternate transportation for the duration of this service interruption.

Assuming no additional delays, a minimum of 25 calendar days will have elapsed since the Budd Car last carried passengers to their respective destinations on January 27^th.

This situation is highly unacceptable to the medical patients, seniors, post-secondary students, First Nations, local residents and remote workers who depend on the Sudbury-White River train to access essential services not available in their communities.

VIA Rail receives public funds to provide passenger rail service in rural and remote regions of the country. The company is mandated by the Government of Canada to serve many communities where alternative, year-round transportation is limited or unavailable.

At an average age of 70+ years, the Budd Cars are well past their prime.

An access to information request filed by Northern Tracks Blog revealed that in 2023, the Sudbury-White River train had transmission problems, issues related to equipment overheating, and pieces of sheet metal falling off the undercarriage.

We know the company intends to replace the Budd Cars with new equipment sometime in the next five to ten years. However, will the lone existing train set even survive 2026?

Northerners are tired of being left high and dry by VIA Rail. Statements issued by the customer relations department offer little consolation for the affected passengers who have to make new travel arrangements at the last minute, if at all possible.

«We’re reaching out with regard to your upcoming reservation on train 186. Train 186 that was scheduled to travel between White River and Sudbury on [date] has been cancelled with no alternate transportation due to mechanical issues. […] Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you for your understanding.» — Travel advisory for trips scheduled on April 18^th and December 28^th 2025

VIA Rail, the Minister of Transport, Steven MacKinnon and Prime Minister Mark Carney owe passengers more than mere sympathies. This situation is happening on their respective watches. They need to explain what’s being done to get this train operating reliably again.

I encourage residents and local leaders to contact their Member of Parliament to request an immediate intervention by the federal government. The replacement of the Budd Cars needs to be expedited.

The traveling public deserves answers from both the ministry and VIA Rail. What’s their plan to ensure the Sudbury-White River train continues to operate and becomes once again a dependable mode of public transportation?

As the philosopher William James said: When you have to make a choice and don’t make it, that is in itself a choice.

Members of Parliament

Ministries

• The Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister
• The Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport

Azilda, Biscotasing, Cartier, Chelmsford, Dowling, Levack and surrounding area:

• Jim Bélanger, M.P. for Sudbury East-Manitoulin-Nickel Belt

Chapleau and surrounding area:

• Gaétan Malette, M.P. for Kapuskasing-Timmins-Mushkegowuk

Dubreuilville, Missanabie, White River and surrounding area:

• Terry Sheehan, M.P. for Sault-Ste-Marie-Algoma

Manitouwadge, Marathon and surrounding area:

• The Honourable Patty Hadju, M.P. for Thunder Bay-Superior North

Sudbury:

• Viviane Lapointe, M.P. for Sudbury