The federal budget came out today and in it was proposed funding to replace VIA Rail’s cars and locomotives for use in the Windsor-Quebec City corridor, though amounts were not released due to “an upcoming procurement. Good news for VIA Rail.
Thankfully there was no decision on their High Frequency, Sharbot Lake Express Rail idea. It is hard to imagine a government approving this regressive non solution plan to VIA Rails continuing ridership debacle. Consider that VIA Rail has lost more than half of its ridership since 1981 from 8 million to 3.97 million riders in 2016.
Thankfully there was no decision on their High Frequency, Sharbot Lake Express Rail idea. It is hard to imagine a government approving this regressive non solution plan to VIA Rails continuing ridership debacle. Consider that VIA Rail has lost more than half of its ridership since 1981 from 8 million to 3.97 million riders in 2016.
Money for new stock in the Windsor to Quebec City corridor is most welcome. However what about money for new stock for the Toronto - Vancouver route, and the Montreal - Halifax services ? How's about some money to make those routes run seven days a week, instead of just two or three, which is what happens at the moment ? Where's the money to reintroduce passenger rail to places such as Calgary, Banff, Victoria Island, Regina, Sherbrooke and Saint John (New Brunswick) etc ? What about bringing in legislation to give passenger trains priority on CN and CP lines ?
ReplyDeleteSadly no political party in Canada seems interested in getting a grip on the whole situation.