Comments on: VIA Rail plans to add 6 afternoon trains on the North Mainline by 2011

By: Tom West

Tom West — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:12:03 +0000

Re: Steven
I hope not! Budd RDCs aren’t as safe as modern rolling stock.

By: Steven

Steven — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:29:16 +0000

The new VIA departures will likely use refurbished Budd RDCs.

By: Mary Pappert

Mary Pappert — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:40:00 +0000

The North Mainline has proved ridership, population, and public support for over 18 years – since the drastic cuts to our service. Why do we have to wait until some indefinite time in 2011 for increased service? In addition we need one very late train departing Toronto to connect with trains arriving from other east & west locations and to bring home residents enjoying dinner and entertainment in Toronto.

By: Paul Langan

Paul Langan — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:55:31 +0000

Now if I could only afford on a ticket………….

By: Tom West

Tom West — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:09:03 +0000

What chnace of integrated ticketing? On the one hand, GO has a good history of making suitable deals with municipal transit systems. On the other hand, I don’t think VIA have ever done so, or shown any interest in doing so.
Also, what about the price differential? I just checked VIA’s prices, and Kitchener-Toronto is $42 return. A similar distance trip (Oshawa-Burlington) is $28.50 return. That said, when I tried to find out VIA’s prices, a lot of trains were sold out, so there is obviously demand.
Finally, it syas VIA “plan” to introduce the extra trains… but how definate are those plans? Are they definate, dependent on GO’s servcies, a vague hope or merely an aspiration?

By: David Graham

David Graham — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:26:34 +0000

Indeed, it more than triples existing service. This is excellent news. I’ll have to read the rest of the EA report when I get a few minutes.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:30:22 +0000

Ten trains a day in each direction is really good news — there will actually be a decent chance that taking the train will be feasible for a one-off trip. I think that come 2011, the demand will quickly precipitate more service, hopefully including late evening.