Via Rail
- Thread starter Marbles
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It's not just this country, but the US too. In Europe, rail travel is a delight - even in the UK.
Re: It's a damn shame
I disagree. I used to take Via from Ottawa to Toronto and back again several times in first year of university. i never had one trip that didn't have some sort of problem. Every return to Ottawa was plagued with crap, one time it was debris on the tracks, another time it was an accident with an earlier train and a vehicle. one time they even oversold the train and didn't have enough room for everyone to have a seat so about 10 of us were left in the aisles until the train emptied some passengers in kingston. I had more half off your next fare coupons with every trip. Eventually I decided that the bus although not as comfortable, was cheaper, more reliable and more accomodating, it had nothing to do with fuel and gridlock issues, via is IMO a disorganized service that doesn't even come close to reaching its potential.
maximadude said:
I disagree. I used to take Via from Ottawa to Toronto and back again several times in first year of university. i never had one trip that didn't have some sort of problem. Every return to Ottawa was plagued with crap, one time it was debris on the tracks, another time it was an accident with an earlier train and a vehicle. one time they even oversold the train and didn't have enough room for everyone to have a seat so about 10 of us were left in the aisles until the train emptied some passengers in kingston. I had more half off your next fare coupons with every trip. Eventually I decided that the bus although not as comfortable, was cheaper, more reliable and more accomodating, it had nothing to do with fuel and gridlock issues, via is IMO a disorganized service that doesn't even come close to reaching its potential.
The best method is ride sharing. The two best web sites for travel between Ontario and Quebec is www.planetrideshare.com and www.moremontreal.com.
If I can't get a ride, I'd take the train.
impala77, I'm sorry to hear you've had such a lousy exprience with VIA. I find the train WAY better than the bus. I do agree with you that it does not fulfill its potential.
Yes, it's a bit more expensive. But the ride is smoother and faster than the bus.
A typical bus ride between Toronto and Montreal is a little under 8 hours. That's ridiculous! That's about 3 hours more than a car and train.
That's 3 hours of shaking, rattling and rotting at the Kingston bus station, where it stops for about 30 minutes at the half way point of the trip.
If you guys get a chance, please check out the 2 web sites and pass along the info if you ever know anyone who's either looking for a ride or needs to share gas expenses.
Thanks in advance.
If I can't get a ride, I'd take the train.
impala77, I'm sorry to hear you've had such a lousy exprience with VIA. I find the train WAY better than the bus. I do agree with you that it does not fulfill its potential.
Yes, it's a bit more expensive. But the ride is smoother and faster than the bus.
A typical bus ride between Toronto and Montreal is a little under 8 hours. That's ridiculous! That's about 3 hours more than a car and train.
That's 3 hours of shaking, rattling and rotting at the Kingston bus station, where it stops for about 30 minutes at the half way point of the trip.
If you guys get a chance, please check out the 2 web sites and pass along the info if you ever know anyone who's either looking for a ride or needs to share gas expenses.
Thanks in advance.
my only experience with the train is in to ottawa, typically the train ride back was never on time so I don't know if it was faster or not. The train was always 5 or 6 hours at least. But by bus, greyhound usually nailed the trip in 4.5 hours with a 15 minute stop in actinolite junction. Even in car I've had a hard time matching the bus, mostly because I stop a little longer than 15 minutes.
I've travelled on the train to Ottawa and back a number of times. Generally I've found the transit time to be about the same as if I had driven.
One thing that few people understand about VIA in this country is that passenger rail has the LAST priority on the rail. Consequently when a passenger train is in conflict with a freight train, the freight has prioirity! Notwithstanding the delays mentioned earlier (debris on tracks, technical breakdown, train hits person or vehicle, etc...) as soon as a train is late in it's schedule you can pretty well count on it continuing to fall behind.
A quick word about the costs - taking the train to Ottawa (even VIA1 which is the first class section) is considerably cheaper than flying (like about a quarter of the cost) and the time spent waiting, getting to the airport, etc actually makes the train comparable in terms of convenience.
One thing that few people understand about VIA in this country is that passenger rail has the LAST priority on the rail. Consequently when a passenger train is in conflict with a freight train, the freight has prioirity! Notwithstanding the delays mentioned earlier (debris on tracks, technical breakdown, train hits person or vehicle, etc...) as soon as a train is late in it's schedule you can pretty well count on it continuing to fall behind.
A quick word about the costs - taking the train to Ottawa (even VIA1 which is the first class section) is considerably cheaper than flying (like about a quarter of the cost) and the time spent waiting, getting to the airport, etc actually makes the train comparable in terms of convenience.
I used to take Via from Aldershot to Toronto. The trains are really comfortable, and takes 25 min instead of 45 for GO trains. It is well worth the extra money, if you can accept their limited schedule, only one train to Toronto in the morning and two trains back at night.
They have a crazy system for commuters, where you can buy a booklet of tickets at a discount. However, they are only valid for one month.
They have a crazy system for commuters, where you can buy a booklet of tickets at a discount. However, they are only valid for one month.
It's unfortunate that the rates are high (and as i read this thread) the ride is uncomfortable, I was going to take a trip to Montreal with Via but am now discouraged. I really hate driving there and thought this would be a viable option but i guess i'll have to fill up the SUV and load up on coffee.
VIA just not what it use to be…
In recent years I have had occasion to take VIA to Ottawa and back 3 or 4 times. I never had any problems with time schedules. Well except one time they were 20 mins late leaving Toronto. But we still got there on time. How they did that I don’t know. What I found or noticed the most is that to me VIA is just not what it use to be. No dinning car like they use to have. No smoking at all on the whole train. The snack cart that they come around with is a joke. Too pricey, not enough choices etc. I remember when you could go to a dinning car and get a good old fashion hamburger or whatever. Now you get egg salad or ham and cheese? No thanks. Last time I took VIA was just over a year ago and I decided on the return trip that next time I will fly. Or rent a car.
In recent years I have had occasion to take VIA to Ottawa and back 3 or 4 times. I never had any problems with time schedules. Well except one time they were 20 mins late leaving Toronto. But we still got there on time. How they did that I don’t know. What I found or noticed the most is that to me VIA is just not what it use to be. No dinning car like they use to have. No smoking at all on the whole train. The snack cart that they come around with is a joke. Too pricey, not enough choices etc. I remember when you could go to a dinning car and get a good old fashion hamburger or whatever. Now you get egg salad or ham and cheese? No thanks. Last time I took VIA was just over a year ago and I decided on the return trip that next time I will fly. Or rent a car.
Re: It's a damn shame
Very true.
Since confederation and Sir John A. approximately 10 Royal Commission's have recommended strategies to promote and improve travel within Canada. I would defy anybody to find a cogent reason not to support travel, business and tourism, within their own country. Yet, in 2004, I can travel to most popular cities in the world for less than to Calgary, Vancouver, Whitehorse, etc. For an issue to be so thoroughly ignored for over a century can only mean one thing: certain politicians are featherbedding for fat corporate directorships upon their retirement from public life.
maximadude said:
Very true.
Since confederation and Sir John A. approximately 10 Royal Commission's have recommended strategies to promote and improve travel within Canada. I would defy anybody to find a cogent reason not to support travel, business and tourism, within their own country. Yet, in 2004, I can travel to most popular cities in the world for less than to Calgary, Vancouver, Whitehorse, etc. For an issue to be so thoroughly ignored for over a century can only mean one thing: certain politicians are featherbedding for fat corporate directorships upon their retirement from public life.
Re: Re: It's a damn shame
Guilty as charged. As much as I'd like to travel more in Canada, going to Europe is more appealing.
For $500-$600, you can fly from Toronto to London, Lisbon or Paris.
What's more appealing, attending the Calgary Stampede or walking through the Red Light District in Amsterdam?
antaeus said:
Guilty as charged. As much as I'd like to travel more in Canada, going to Europe is more appealing.
For $500-$600, you can fly from Toronto to London, Lisbon or Paris.
What's more appealing, attending the Calgary Stampede or walking through the Red Light District in Amsterdam?
goodtime
Travelaholic
I'm Lovin' it!
Example, Round trip Airfare between London to Rome/Milan/Porto is 50 Pounds or ~$135 taxes incl.
Or Round trip Train Eurostar within Italy, the distance of Tor and Montreal in 2.5hrs came out to 45 Euro or ~$90 taxes incl.
EU Hotel per night (4 start) on off-season, 46 Pound or ~$115 taxes incl.
It was cheaper to travel in EU than at home as long given enough advance homework with Internet search.
Also guilty as charged. Travel within EU is much better bargain.Corey said:Guilty as charged. As much as I'd like to travel more in Canada, going to Europe is more appealing.
For $500-$600, you can fly from Toronto to London, Lisbon or Paris.
What's more appealing, attending the Calgary Stampede or walking through the Red Light District in Amsterdam?
Example, Round trip Airfare between London to Rome/Milan/Porto is 50 Pounds or ~$135 taxes incl.
Or Round trip Train Eurostar within Italy, the distance of Tor and Montreal in 2.5hrs came out to 45 Euro or ~$90 taxes incl.
EU Hotel per night (4 start) on off-season, 46 Pound or ~$115 taxes incl.
It was cheaper to travel in EU than at home as long given enough advance homework with Internet search.
I am in the same situation. I have always driven, but this time I thought I'd relax on the train, as it is not much more than gas money. I find the drive to be quite stressful and I arrive wired on caffeine and tired at the same time. Years ago I covered my gas money with a car pooling service called Allostop, but I thought they were shut down for some reason. So if I knew about the services linked in this thread, I might have gone that route. But I have bought my ticket already ($150 return), so hopefully it will work out. I'll let you all know how it goes.Photoguy said:
Review: Via
My return trip by Via to Montreal went without a hitch. No delays. Five hours to get to Montreal (there were several stops along the way) but only four and a half on the way back. Seats are relatively comfortable (compared to an airplane) and roomy. No security hassles like at the airport. Considering I live downtown and was going to downtown Montreal, no wasted time getting to and from airport, or additional taxi costs. No extra time wasted waiting in the airport before boarding or waiting for luggage. More interesting scenery than the 401 or an airplane. No stress from the drive.
Highly recommend. Will repeat.
My return trip by Via to Montreal went without a hitch. No delays. Five hours to get to Montreal (there were several stops along the way) but only four and a half on the way back. Seats are relatively comfortable (compared to an airplane) and roomy. No security hassles like at the airport. Considering I live downtown and was going to downtown Montreal, no wasted time getting to and from airport, or additional taxi costs. No extra time wasted waiting in the airport before boarding or waiting for luggage. More interesting scenery than the 401 or an airplane. No stress from the drive.
Highly recommend. Will repeat.
