Via Rail says it expects to cut 200 unionized jobs, or about nine per cent of its positions, as the government-owned passenger rail service reduces trips on some lines in the face of federal budget cuts.
    
VIA says it will not cut any whole routes and adds it’s working to expand track capacity between the busy Montreal-Toronto corridor.

Trip frequencies are being cut on some of the big routes, including the Montreal to Halifax route “The Ocean” which will be cut from six to three round trips per week.

The service adjustments will be rolled out between July and the end of October.
    
 In the West, “The Canadian” _ a Toronto to Vancouver route _ will be reduced from three to two round trips per week in the off-season (October to April). Service during peak season will remain at three trips per week.
   
There will also be a number reductions in southwestern Ontario, where GO Transit and other services are available to commuters. London, Aldershot, Kitchener, Niagara Falls and other cities will see reduced Via service.

“In growing markets, we are adding more frequencies to meet customer demand,” said president and CEO Marc Laliberte.