The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has ruled VIA Rail's new high-speed trains pose major accessibility problems for people with disabilities.

"It's confirmation that disabled people are encountering obstacles — that these are inaccessible trains," said David Baker, a lawyer for the Council of Canadians with Disabilities.

The CTA has ordered VIA to disclose technical information, including what it will cost to fix the trains. Once it has that information, the agency will decide whether to order changes to the cars.

Baker says VIA bought the trains at a reduced price and was trying to save money.

Renaissance cars are running in the Montreal to Toronto overnight service, the Montreal to Halifax day and night service, the Montreal to Gaspe day and overnight service and the Quebec City through Windsor corridor day service.

The council had argued the new cars would bar many disabled people from using the trains. Those with trunk control problems, balance problems, chronic pain, those who require oxygen and those who have frequent seizures are unable to transfer to another chair.

The ruling listed 14 obstacles which may be "undue," including:

• no moveable aisle arm rests on the double-seat side of the cars to help transfer a person from their wheelchair to the seat
• the space in the wheelchair tie-down area is inadequate
• the aisle between the two washrooms is too narrow
• there's a lack of closed stair risers
• insufficient space in the washroom

VIA Rail has defended its purchase of the cars because of its "remarkably low cost." It has also argued the trains are accessible.

"VIA Rail remains committed to providing all Canadians with accessible passenger rail service in accordance with the principles found in the voluntary code of practice signed by VIA in 1998," said Malcolm Andrews of VIA.