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New Via Rail CEO vows to improve service, reduce dependence on taxpayer funds
Original Publication Date: May 28, 2014 5:24AM
Publication Updated: January 8, 2025 11:05PM
MONTREAL – The new president of Via Rail says the passenger rail carrier is committed to improving service and reducing its dependency on taxpayer dollars.
Yves Desjardins-Siciliano made the vow after taking over the company’s top job in the wake of criticism from Foreign Minister John Baird that Via had fallen down when it came to communicating with the public, particularly on safety issues.
Comments by Via management during the carrier’s annual public meeting webcast indicated they had heard Baird’s message.
Better consumer service and reduced use of taxpayer dollars was almost a mantra as Via’s top officials made their statements.
Desjardins-Siciliano, who was named to the top job on May 11, emphasized that he would be meeting not only with Via employees but also with the public.
Robert St-Jean, Via’s chief financial officer, says operating expenses were up four per cent to $578 million in 2013, mainly due to increased costs related to the company’s pension plan.
Total revenues were down 2.3 per cent, to $270.4 million and the total number of passengers who travelled on the network was also down slightly.
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