VIA Service to Prince Rupert suspended following Kitwanga derailment

As CN Rail Crews continue to work at the site of a derailment near Kitwanga and Transportation Safety Board of Canada officials move forward with their investigation into the events surrounding it, one impact of the incident is being found on the passenger rail service between Prince Rupert and Prince George.

Following the derailment, VIA Rail announced the cancellation of its regular service on the Skeena with service to Terrace and Prince Rupert suspended until the rail line has been cleared and returned to operational status.

Unlike incidents of the past, there is no bus bridge plan in place by VIA Rail, something which will leave passengers to await the next scheduled run or to make alternate arrangements. 

VIA has offered those passengers impacted by the derailment with the option of refund or a rebooking on a future run.

The next scheduled trip is set for Friday AM out of Prince Rupert, though no mention of its status has been made on the VIA Rail website or social media portals.

The state of passenger rail service has made for some occasional commentary from members of Prince Rupert City Council, who have often noted the struggles that VIA has when it comes to on time performance in its service to the North Coast.

For more notes on passenger rail service in the Northwest see our archive page here.

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