VIA Rail on the rails again over accessibility issue

By Canadian Press

Published: July 27, 2017 at 10:47 AM

"Toronto, Ontario, Canada - August 7, 2011: Departure sign in Union Station in Toronto, Canada. Trains in and out of the station are operated by VIA Rail Canada and GO Trainsit. The station serves approximately 200,000 people daily."iStock/raisbeckphoto

An Ontario couple say they feel like theyre back at square one after hearing that Via Rail is trying to limit the scope of a policy to make its trains more accessible.

An Ontario couple say they feel like they're back at square one after hearing that Via Rail is trying to limit the scope of a policy to make its trains more accessible.

Marie Murphy and Martin Anderson, who both use mobility scooters due to their cerebral palsy, had made a complaint to the Canadian Transportation Agency because they couldn't travel on the same train.

Via revised its policy after being told to double the number of mobility devices that could be tied down on trains, from one to two.

But Via Rail now says it will only implement the changes for certain classes of trains that travel between Quebec City and Windsor.

Murphy and Anderson say Via should be working to make trains more accessible for all wheelchair travellers across the country.