What to know
- VIA Rail has reversed its plan to stop serving Guildwood Station in Scarborough, saying the station will remain in its winter schedule.
- The decision follows opposition from residents and local politicians, including Councillor Paul Ainslie and MPP Andrea Hazell.
- VIA Rail had cited travel times, Guildwood’s proximity to Union Station and access to GO Transit when announcing the planned cut.
- Hazell says the fight is not over and plans to meet with VIA Rail’s president and CEO to push for the return of “FULL VIA Rail service.”
VIA Rail has reversed its decision to end service at Guildwood Station in Scarborough, but local politicians say the fight over the station’s future is not over.
The Crown corporation announced Sept. 25 that it will continue serving Guildwood under its winter schedule, following opposition from residents and local politicians to the planned service cut.
“VIA Rail recognizes the importance of reliable rail transportation that connects communities and serves passengers across Canada, including in the Scarborough community,” the corporation said in a statement.
VIA Rail said it will remain in contact with community leaders to “discuss the situation and assess feedback.”
“In the meantime, VIA Rail will operate in accordance with its winter schedule, continuing to service Guildwood Station,” the statement said.
The announcement came a little over a week after VIA Rail said it would stop serving Guildwood and Malton as part of schedule changes taking effect Oct. 25.
In its Sept. 16 announcement, VIA Rail said the changes were intended to better align service with passenger demand, strengthen network resilience and support more reliable and predictable service.
The corporation said it would no longer serve Guildwood to improve overall travel times, citing the station’s proximity to Toronto Union Station and access to GO Transit and other local transit services.
The planned cut drew opposition from Scarborough residents and politicians, including Scarborough-Guildwood Councillor Paul Ainslie.
Before VIA Rail reversed course, Ainslie called Guildwood Station a “vital” and accessible rail connection for work, family visits, business and travel across Ontario.
He argued that losing the stop would reduce transportation options, increase reliance on cars and affect local businesses and the community’s environmental goals.
“There are practical alternatives that should be explored before this service is cut,” Ainslie said, calling on VIA Rail to work with residents, community leaders and government partners to keep Guildwood connected.
Scarborough-Guildwood MPP Andrea Hazell also welcomed the reversal while warning that the issue is not settled.
“This fight is not over,” Hazell said. “We will continue pushing for the return of FULL VIA Rail service and for a more accessible, reliable, and community-focused service for Scarborough and the eastern GTA.”
Hazell said she will meet with VIA Rail President and CEO Mario Péloquin on Sept. 29 and report back on the outcome.
VIA Rail has not said whether continued service at Guildwood will extend beyond its winter schedule or whether the station will return to its previous level of service.
