Latest news with #AshleyMichnowski
Edmonton Journal
08-08-2025
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
Jasper wants more Edmonton passenger train links, but is it a railroad to nowhere?
Article content And adding capacity to what the Edmonton station can handle might be a stretch. Article content 'We work closely with all our passenger service providers, to ensure that the operation of the combined freight and passenger services works as effectively as possible,' said Ashley Michnowski, a CN spokesperson. 'We run a scheduled operating model, which means that each train – whether hauling freight or passengers – runs on a certain schedule and we endeavour to run them all on time. Article content 'Any discussions with respect to adding additional capacity in this corridor would have to balance the existing traffic and capacity demands.' Article content But here's the kicker. Article content While Jasper councillors hope that a Jasper-Edmonton route can better connect that town to Edmonton International Airport, the city can't even connect its own rail station to the airport 32 km south off the QEII Highway. Article content Article content The way forward will require dedicated rails. Compass International, a global construction consulting firm pegs the cost of a single track on a stone bed to be somewhere between $1 million to $1.13 million USD. A double-track layout adds about 50 per cent to the cost. Article content That's just the simple cost of the rails, ties, stones and the price of laying it down. If we're trying to build railway in Edmonton, there's the need to acquire land, build overpasses, underpasses or railway crossings. There's the cost of maybe a new station. In 2024, the Business Council of Alberta reported that Canada is the third priciest country in the world when it comes to building rail. In an urban setting, it can average up to $400 million a kilometre to build rail. Article content But Explore Edmonton, the organization charged with promoting this city as a destination for tourism, is hopeful that Edmonton can get commuter rail, plus train connections to Jasper and, yes, even our own airport. Article content Article content Melissa Radu, Explore Edmonton's Executive director of destination stewardship, said increased rail service in the province 'could mean faster and more convenient travel for residents and visitors, potentially leading to increased tourism and business opportunities in Edmonton. Greater connectivity into Jasper would have its benefits as well as part of the larger plan. Article content 'Specific impacts on Edmonton for visitation could include enhanced connectivity to other major cities and tourist destinations, making it easier for people to travel for work, leisure, or to access other parts of the province. This connectivity could also help attract new businesses and investment to Edmonton, as well as boost tourism and related industries.
Hamilton Spectator
04-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Via Rail CEO blames plummeting on-time performance on new CN speed rules
MONTREAL - Via Rail says its on-time performance fell drastically in the first three months of the year — a drop the Crown corporation blames largely on new speed rules from Canadian National Railway Co. Via is reporting that its trains, which run mostly on CN tracks, pulled into the station within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time only 30 per cent of the time last quarter, down from 72 per cent in the same period the year before. It says ridership decreased by 2.7 per cent, marking the first dip since the railway's pandemic recovery began. Via CEO Mario Péloquin says its ongoing service disruptions are the direct result of 'arbitrary and unnecessary' speed restrictions on new passenger trains that run along its busiest corridors — though heavy snowfall in February was also a likely factor. CN spokeswoman Ashley Michnowski says it is disappointed Via 'refuse(s) to assume responsibility' for its choice to buy trains that could have safety shortcomings, adding that CN has no interest in arbitrarily slowing locomotives on its tracks. Via says its first-quarter operating loss before federal funding and income taxes sagged to $160 million from $151.3 million a year earlier. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025. Companies in this story: (TSX:CNR)
Winnipeg Free Press
04-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Via Rail CEO blames plummeting on-time performance on new CN speed rules
MONTREAL – Via Rail says its on-time performance fell drastically in the first three months of the year — a drop the Crown corporation blames largely on new speed rules from Canadian National Railway Co. Via is reporting that its trains, which run mostly on CN tracks, pulled into the station within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time only 30 per cent of the time last quarter, down from 72 per cent in the same period the year before. It says ridership decreased by 2.7 per cent, marking the first dip since the railway's pandemic recovery began. Via CEO Mario Péloquin says its ongoing service disruptions are the direct result of 'arbitrary and unnecessary' speed restrictions on new passenger trains that run along its busiest corridors — though heavy snowfall in February was also a likely factor. CN spokeswoman Ashley Michnowski says it is disappointed Via 'refuse(s) to assume responsibility' for its choice to buy trains that could have safety shortcomings, adding that CN has no interest in arbitrarily slowing locomotives on its tracks. Via says its first-quarter operating loss before federal funding and income taxes sagged to $160 million from $151.3 million a year earlier. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025. Companies in this story: (TSX:CNR)
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Via Rail CEO blames plummeting on-time performance on new CN speed rules
MONTREAL — Via Rail says its on-time performance fell drastically in the first three months of the year — a drop the Crown corporation blames largely on new speed rules from Canadian National Railway Co. Via is reporting that its trains, which run mostly on CN tracks, pulled into the station within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time only 30 per cent of the time last quarter, down from 72 per cent in the same period the year before. It says ridership decreased by 2.7 per cent, marking the first dip since the railway's pandemic recovery began. Via CEO Mario Péloquin says its ongoing service disruptions are the direct result of "arbitrary and unnecessary" speed restrictions on new passenger trains that run along its busiest corridors — though heavy snowfall in February was also a likely factor. CN spokeswoman Ashley Michnowski says it is disappointed Via "refuse(s) to assume responsibility" for its choice to buy trains that could have safety shortcomings, adding that CN has no interest in arbitrarily slowing locomotives on its tracks. Via says its first-quarter operating loss before federal funding and income taxes sagged to $160 million from $151.3 million a year earlier. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025. Companies in this story: (TSX:CNR) The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Global News
19-05-2025
- General
- Global News
Transportation Safety Board investigates derailment after two CN Rail trains collide
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook The Transportation Safety Board is investigating after two CN rail trains crashed into each other early Sunday morning west of Edson, Alta. According to CN Rail spokesperson Ashley Michnowski, preliminary reports show the two trains sideswiped each other in a low-speed collision. RCMP say they responded to the call around 7:10 am near Highway 47 and Township Road 530, about 13 kilometres west of Edson. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Cpl. Mathew Howell told Global News one train was carrying grain while the other train was hauling a load of batteries. 'Initial reports indicated a possible brake failure,' Cpl. Howell said. The railway says as a result, several cars carrying grain derailed. There were no injuries reported. Story continues below advertisement Michnowski says CN crews as well as local first responders remain on scene to investigate. 'There were no fires or hazardous materials involved, the tracks remain closed at this time. CN would like to apologize for the inconvenience caused by this incident,' Michnowski said in a statement. The railway adds that there is no risk to the public. The cause is still under investigation.
