Quote:
Originally Posted by J81
The public is being served by these services you hastily wish to cut. Thats the point of having them. Canada exists outside the corridor and Calgary to Edmonton. Most of the communities along these routes have no other transportation alternatives. Its your kind of attitude toward transportation that has gotten this country into the situation it finds itself in currently.
|
I think the question is: Would the money VIA receives in subsidy be better spent on a broader transportation network? Certainly, those communities on the VIA's current routes will be affected, but would a more comprehensive bus system for the Prairies better serve the region overall as opposed to the single train line with infrequent service, for instance?
VIA does have a mandate to serve isolated communities, yes. That's not going to change simply because providing an alternative method will cost way more than the current setup. Example: A road to Churchill, MB would be expensive - much moreso than the current VIA service.
IMO: VIA has to expand its mandate beyond trains. A train is a wonderful device for moving large groups of people between relatively close points (say, <700-800km). It is an inefficient way to move small groups of people and people between very distant points.
So, VIA should act as a coordinator between the disparate private/public bus operators and aim to help fill in the gaps in our national transportation network. Yes, rail will be an element of this. But rail shouldn't be the only solution.