Via Rail says First Nations blockade affecting Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal line

MONTREAL – Via Rail says a First Nations railroad blockade is affecting movement of its passenger trains between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal today.

The rail service says the blockade in the Napanee, Ont., area between Belleville and Kingston is affecting trains on the busy Toronto-to-Montreal and Toronto-to-Ottawa routes in both directions.

Trains between Ottawa and Montreal are operating according to the regular schedule for now.

Via Rail says train operations through the site of the blockade have been cancelled and it is using buses to get passengers through the area until further notice.

The company says the situation is expected to cause “substantial expenses” and will likely mean its employees will have to work long hours until it is resolved.

It says delays can be expected and customers with reservations who choose not to travel will receive a full refund.