Via Rail CEO to testify on 10-hour delay where passengers felt in prison [Video]

The chief executive officer of Via Rail is set to testify before MPs on Thursday about a train trip in August that saw passengers stranded onboard for about 10 hours in the “middle of nowhere” in Quebec following two breakdowns.

The House of Commons transportation committee has scheduled a meeting to hear from president and CEO Mario Peloquin, chief service delivery officer Rita Toporowski and the company’s general counsel, Denis Lavoie.

On Aug. 31, a train broke down between Montreal and Quebec City after experiencing two consecutive mechanical issues.

At the time, the company said no buses were available in the region to offer alternative transportation, and to allow for repairs and coupling with another train, electricity, air conditioning and washrooms were shut down at times.

One passenger, Chip Malt, told Global News and The Canadian Press earlier this month that after a certain amount of time, passengers began worrying about access to food and water.