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VIA Rail sees ridership increases in holiday travel season
It’s nice to see increased passenger counts for VIA. However, don’t be fooled. VIA is in trouble, and serious trouble at that. Funding is always at risk - given current budgetary pressures it isn’t beyond the realm of thought that VIA funding could be severely slashed leaving only Windsor-Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal-Quebec City services. Waiting to ride the Canadian? Don’t wait too long.
It’s too bad the Canadian Government is so anal about funding for it’s passenger carrier. As in the United States, Canadian travelers are returning to the train in droves on account of the shitty treatment they get from the airlines and the ever increasing fuel prices for autos.
Toronto, Ont. The Windsor-Toronto-Montreal-Quebec routes (as Mr Kokac says) could be the extent of Via Rail in the near future…The Ocean and the Canadian while, wonderful trains are under the funding gun… i often see the Canadian leaving Toronto with over 20 cars and sold out sleepers but still depentent on subsidies …So ,Yes don,t wait if you want to travel on the Canadian…The Winter months have special prices and are less busy.