VIA Rail Canada announced it will begin operating non-stop train service between Toronto and Montreal starting Monday, September 29, as part of a three-month pilot project designed to test demand for faster downtown-to-downtown travel.
The new service will apply to Trains 60 and 61 in the morning, as well as Trains 68 and 69 in the late afternoon, with all intermediate stops eliminated. The streamlined trips are expected to save passengers approximately 30 minutes compared to the current schedule, though official arrival times will remain unchanged during the pilot.
Citizen advocacy group Transport Action Canada welcomed the introduction of faster service but expressed concern over reduced access for smaller communities along the Lakeshore route. As a result of the new schedule, departures from stations between Toronto and Brockville will be pushed back by up to two hours, making same-day trips less feasible for some passengers. Service between Brockville and Montreal will also be limited to one trip daily during the pilot.
“This pilot project is an exciting opportunity, but we recognize this change may inconvenience some customers who rely on intermediate stops,” a VIA Rail spokesperson said, adding that the company will carefully evaluate ridership, on-time performance, customer feedback, and community impacts before making long-term decisions.
Passengers affected by the reduced stops will be transferred to the next available train, subject to space availability and their departure and arrival stations.
The non-stop service aims to strengthen VIA Rail’s role in connecting Canada’s largest cities with more efficient, competitive travel options.