Via Rail tells MPs passengers stuck on train for 18 hours in 'unique' situation

The CEO of Via Rail says the Crown corporation "will not shy away from our responsibilities" after passengers found themselves stranded on trains for hours over the holidays.

Martin Landry, the railway's interim president, told a parliamentary committee today that Via fell short on communicating with passengers who experienced widespread delays between Dec. 23 and 26 after a winter storm swept across Ontario and Quebec.

He says many cancellations were caused by a CN Rail freight train that derailed east of Toronto. 

Via Rail executives told MPs it's up to CN to clear the infrastructure it owns, with Landry telling the committee he believes it would be best if the passenger rail system had its own tracks.