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Passenger advocacy group questions VIA Rail ridership numbers
The other problem with the cuts is that on days the Ocean does operate, you cannot connect off the Canadian at Toronto to make connection with the Ocean without an overnight stay at Montreal. In other words, can no longer make a through same day connection. Not a way to promote passenger rail travel in my view.
The passenger rail advocacy groups, whether based in the U.S. or Canada, are part of the recipient class. When it costs more for your preferred mode of transportation that the market will bear, there are alternatives, and you expect taxpayer money to pay for it, from taxpayers who will never use your mode of transportation or receive any benefit, then you are part of the recipient class. All hail the recipient class.
I have heard suggestions that a major factor in the train reductions is that the Renaissance cars are becoming maintenance problems, not aging well in North American conditions. Whether that relates to the car shell and running gear, or the interior that was done over here, is unknown to me.
But it would be embarassing to admit the original purchase of the cars from Britain was a mistake, so blame the passengers instead. And we all know that statistics can be carefully selected to show the desired result.
John
Sound familiar? Via Rail is in the same disposition Amtrak was in the 1970’s. Yet, the system has been in business for 36 years! Nearly as long as Amtrak.
Ironicly, Canada had passenger trains in the 1960’s, especially on Canadian National Railway, that were the envy of other countries in North America. CN’s timetable was thick while timetables of U.S. railways were increasingly thin. Now, alas, America is at the threshold of having high speed trains and leaving Canada in the dust.
The ghost of Jacques “The Bus Driver” Martin lives on. If it doesn’t serve Quebec, VIA has no interest in rail passenger service.
Removing service will only worsen the overall situation, Same thing happening on Ontario, and western Canada, also the
ON Northlander, axed in the fall. So where is there a self supporting mode of transport, Highways and airports are subsidized, rail is to go it alone or what ?
When VIA was created I thought it might lead the way for a sound future of Canadian rail passenger travel. Rerouting The Canadian off of the CPR line through the Rockies that served Lake Louise was a bummer and continued neglect of Eastern Canada is a show of poor marketing and total mismanagement.
Perhaps Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces should create their own rail passenger carrier or bring in SNCF management from France.
Jeffery, a question for you. How come the airlines are complaing that with the shutdown imminent at the end of the month, the air traffic controllers will be laid off. Does that mean that I am paying for air traffic controllers with my TAX DOLLARS? The AIRLINES SHOULD PAY THEIR WAY, NOT THE TAXPAYERS. We need more people to think green, and save energy. Imagine lifting a 200 pound passenger up in the air to 40,000 feet, think of the energy needed, think trains, and lots of trains.
Jeffery, a question for you. How come the airlines are complaing that with the shutdown imminent at the end of the month, the air traffic controllers will be laid off. Does that mean that I am paying for air traffic controllers with my TAX DOLLARS? The AIRLINES SHOULD PAY THEIR WAY, NOT THE TAXPAYERS. We need more people to think green, and save energy. Imagine lifting a 200 pound passenger up in the air to 40,000 feet, think of the energy needed, think trains, and lots of trains.
If inter-city passenger rail travel survives in Canada then VIA must consider to purchase new passenger coaches that could operate more economically. It has been over thirty years since VIA had their last fleet of new coaches. This time they should introduce bi-level or double-decker coaches similar like GO Transit in the Greater Toronto Area has. However they can add more comfort on the seats when distances are moderately longer. That could be one way VIA could survive on its own without any government bail-out.
if railroads in niagara region was always full…why do we cut everything???less and less happens,but governments want people to stop driving!!! roads to toronto are horrenous -where is the gas saving???
Its all political, Elect a member from the sitting party and you get your VIA rail service improved, Elect a member from the non -sitting party , and you can expect cuts in your VIA service, The cuts start when the service is moved from when the service is needed,to times when the service is not required,so ridership drops ,thats the excuse they use to stop the trains
Standard Jeffery rant # 15
All passenger operations must be subsidised by Government. Most, if not all, operations the world over are government subsidised. For railways frieght is the big money maker. Passenger travel has never made money. If the governments of North America are serious about “going green” then the only option is trains powered through hydro electricity. Yes the initial capital needed is high, but the subsiquent cost of operation would come down over time.
Frequency of trains must improve. Airlines have proved this time after time. Why does Air Canada and Westjet provide multiple choice of time of day to fly to the same city. Can you imagine how profitable these airlines would be if they only flew three days a week between cities?! Again - government assistants is necessary.
No surprise with the statistics. I have just booked a flight to Moncton from Ottawa and back. Cost was $307. Try getting a sleeper from Ottawa to Moncton for that cost. Add in meals and you are looking at double the cost. Passenger trains need volume to make them pay. It just does not exist in Atlantic Canada
Jeffery Guse, you are a JERK. Why don’t you SHUT UP! Oh, well: we need some comic relief and you are providing JUST THAT! Why don’t you rag on the heavily subsidized airlines?