VIA Outlines Environmental Goals

VIA Rail Canada said it is working toward having about 90 percent of its proposed High Frequency Rail route between Toronto and Quebec City be electrified.

VIA CEO Cynthia Garneau told the Montreal Gazette that this is more than a written goal.

Some segments near urban areas in which VIA uses the tracks of other railroads will continue to see trains pulled by non-electric power.

The electrification is part of a five-year sustainability plan VIA recently released.

In a news release, VIA said it has reviewed its policies, practices and priorities in preparation for the creation of a sustainability plan.

By 2025 VIA will seek to offer zero-waste trains in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor; train all employees in sustainability practices; align 80 percent of community investments with the priorities of this sustainability plan; and  reach 80 percent integration of the responsible sourcing policy by suppliers.

By 2020 VIA will seek to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 30 percent or more by 2030.

The High Frequency Rail project involves separate, passenger-only rights-of-way on parts of the corridor.

Although the Canadian government has funded various studies of the proposal it has yet to agree to fund it. The projected cost of the project is C$12 billion.

Earlier this year the government said it would seek private-sector involvement in the project.

Tags: VIA Rail Canada