Operating and capital annual funding support from the federal government for Via has been massive: $548 million in 2019 (before the impact of Covid-19) and $597 million in 2021, as examples. Sadly, the massive financial support from Ottawa is to be expected to continue.
A few examples as to Via’s pricing for its transportation services follow. The subsidy per passenger for Via’s ‘Corridor’ (Quebec-Windsor) route was $180 in 2021. Before that, in 2019, and before COVID-19, the subsidy per rider for that route was only $80. Another example, the subsidy needed for each rider taking Via’s spectacular Jasper-Prince Rupert route in 2019, again before Covid-19, was $483. However, in 2021, during COVID-19, the subsidy hit $1,474 for that route; even higher ridership alone would not eliminate the subsidy.
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