VIA Rail network developments

[LRTeverywhere]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

I wish they'd put baggage cars. I'm pissed off that they've reneged on carrying full-sized bikes on the corridor trains, they now only take folding bikes.

Have they reneged on this? I'm pretty sure they are just waiting until the full corridor fleet is running since they can't guarentee that all trains have the ability yet.

[Kitchissippi]

Originally Posted by dougvdh

I think that's interim since they can't seem to tell you what train type you'll be on at the time of booking. Once all the new rolling stock (Charger/Venture) is in service and the old trains are retired (LRC on the Quebec City - Windsor Corridor), then (hopefully) they'll transport bikes again.

The new trains are devoid of bike hooks that they advertised when they announced them. I remember seeing them in the promo videos and did not see them or found the space for them on the train.

I rode my bike to Quebec City a couple of months ago thinking that I'd take the train back. Nope, no can do. Orleans Express buses? No problem at all, at a way cheaper price.

The fact that VIA Rail is now weighing luggage and being picky about the amount of carry-on to the same degree as airlines gives me little faith that they'll allow full sized bikes even on the new fleet.

[Kitchissippi]

Originally Posted by MarkR

Yeah that was pretty crappy of them. I'd already been thinking of getting a good folder (Brompton now makes a 20"-wheel bike) for local use, and it would come in very handy travelling by Via.

I love my Brommie, I've taken it on the train to Montreal and Toronto with no issues. It's great on the LRT as well. The new 20" model is pricey, but if I ever get to Singapore, I'll search out a full titanium knock-off for about the same price

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by ponyboycurtis

I don't know if I was just deaf, dumb, blind and stupid and fatigued from being in transit for a couple days but I swear there were no power outlets. Whether it was a USB or conventional plug I didn't see anything. I had a battery pack if I needed it so it wasn't much more than a cursory glance. SURELY I am mistaken on this?

I'm pretty sure I remember seeing them when I rode on the new fleet. I can't find a picture, but Rail Fans Canada says: power outlets (economy seats each get 1 USB, 1 120V outlet, while business seats get 2 of each)

[rocketphish]

Please vote for us, please, please, pretty please...

Federal government going ahead with high-speed rail between Quebec City and Toronto
Trains to reach speeds of up to 300 kilometres per hour

Louis Blouin · CBC News
Posted: Oct 28, 2024 4:34 PM EDT | Last Updated: 9 minutes ago

The Trudeau government will announce plans for a high-speed train linking Quebec City and Toronto in the coming weeks, Radio-Canada has learned.

Proponents of the project hope the train will take passengers from Montreal to Toronto in three hours. By car, it takes about five-and-a-half hours to travel between the two cities.

Sources told Radio-Canada the train will travel 300 kilometres per hour — double the speed of Via Rail's current trains.

Ottawa announced plans back in 2021 to build what it called a "high-frequency" (HFR) rail corridor with stops in Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal, Trois-Rivières, Laval and Quebec City. Sources told Radio-Canada the federal government has now decided the Toronto-Quebec City link will be high-speed.

The train would use a newly built, separate electrified track and run frequently. In addition to Quebec City, Montreal and Toronto, it would serve Trois-Rivières, Laval, Ottawa and Peterborough.

Sources told Radio-Canada the federal government has chosen a winning bidder out of three competing consortia and is expected to announce the news in the next few weeks.

A spokesperson for Transport Minister Anita Anand wouldn't confirm the news because the contract has not been awarded.


<more>


https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/high-speed-rail-canada-1.7365835

[Djeffery]

Worked for Wynne. Oh wait...

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

Worked for Wynne. Oh wait...

Didn't she win basically every riding where there would have been a stop between London and Union Station? (not saying that it was a big, or even little, factor). Along with cancelling the gas plants and still winning the next election it is an example of a fundamentally imature electorate.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Didn't she win basically every riding where there would have been a stop between London and Union Station? (not saying that it was a big, or even little, factor). Along with cancelling the gas plants and still winning the next election it is an example of a fundamentally imature electorate.

Maybe I'm misremembering, since there were seemingly many announcements about rail, but I thought she made the boldest announcement in 2018 before getting decimated.

[rdaner]

Just a question about how this would be dealt with in Ottawa, theoretically. I have been to the VIA station and it would need an upgrade but where? Also if this went through it would Lead to a lot of development around the station.

[zzptichka]

How does it even work? They put out RFP for high-frequency rail and ended up with high-speed rail submissions? That doesn't make any sense.

[harls]

• Video Link

[DarthVader_1961]

Believing it when I’m riding it

[Kelnoz]

Originally Posted by zzptichka

How does it even work? They put out RFP for high-frequency rail and ended up with high-speed rail submissions? That doesn't make any sense.

Because of industry feedback during the RFEOI they modified the RFP to allow for the submission of both a conventional rail and a high-speed rail option from each consortium.

[J.OT13]

This all sounds great, but yes, it seems like a tactic to win votes, presenting this a year, maybe months, before the next election. Why didn't they work towards this years ago? Seems like a slam dunk for the environmental file, not to mention mobility and the economy. It's rainbows and unicorns like electoral reform; probably never going to happen. I hope it does though.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by Kelnoz

Because of industry feedback during the RFEOI they modified the RFP to allow for the submission of both a conventional rail and a high-speed rail option from each consortium.

Not just allow, but insist that each consortium give them both.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by rdaner

Just a question about how this would be dealt with in Ottawa, theoretically. I have been to the VIA station and it would need an upgrade but where?

What type of upgrade are you thinking that Ottawa station would need? There is a plan to raise the remaining platforms which would likely be implemented, but that doesn't require any additional land. As far as capacity, the current station's 4 through tracks and 4 terminal tracks (2 in each direction) should be more than enough. Don't forget that few trains will originate/terminate in Ottawa as most will continue on to Montreal or Toronto.

Originally Posted by rdaner

Also if this went through it would Lead to a lot of development around the station.

It probably won't have much effect as intercity rail isn't something people tend to take on a daily bases. There will be need for more passenger services, but most of that would be contained within the station.

[J.OT13]

Other than upgrading the infra to accommodate high speed trains, I doubt the station will need much work. They could add platforms where platforms once existed directly south of the existing platforms, but that's about it. I do hope the parking lots get redeveloped with hotels, residential and offices. Make it a mini Downtown, where travelers can stay as soon as they arrive. Strange no hotels have ever been built directly connected to the station.

[lrt's friend]

Parking is a draw for those living at a distance without decent transit access. I have parked there a number of times. Without parking, I am less likely to choose VIA. I am poorly connected to Line 1.

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

Parking is a draw for those living at a distance without decent transit access. I have parked there a number of times. Without parking, I am less likely to choose VIA. I am poorly connected to Line 1.

That's a valid concern, but the better solution is to improve local and regional transit connectivity rather than to retain poor land use around intercity stations.

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

That's a valid concern, but the better solution is to improve local and regional transit connectivity rather than to retain poor land use around intercity stations.

Swiss Rail facilitates parking. It seems like a normal thing in train stations.

https://www.sbb.ch/en/tickets-offers/private-transport/car-parking.html