High Speed Train Coming?-split from boosting Canada’s military spending"

[ytz]

Now, now. This is Canada. We can't have the same ambitions and public services as Morocco, Egypt, Uzbekistan, India or Indonesia.

 

[YZT580]

What exactly are VIA's Corridor services then?

half assed and hopelessly inadequete

 

[lenaitch]

The 100b dollar tunnel is by far one of the dumber infrastructure projects I've ever heard of. But you're right, no outcry.

There has been outcry but it has been somewhat muted, partially I think because few in their right mind think this is even marginally feasible.

I guarantee Alberta will want something between Edmonton and Calgary if Alto is successful. And you know what? Good. That would be a logical next step.

I think there is a decent argument that it would be a logical first step. Cheaper and less technically demanding and might mitigate a few political issues as well.

half assed and hopelessly inadequete

Its corridor service is actually the only one that makes money (or, doesn't lose money), and supports its other services. It's problem with service levels are largely a result of conflicts with CN traffic, the folks who own the ROW.

 

[YZT580]

We do have a slower network of trains, it's called VIA. It stops at a lot of towns and cities, and used to stop at more of them when travel by car was more difficult and less reliable.

It's not the government that killed the smaller rail routes, it was customers who chose the more convenient options of just driving... Particularly when visiting other smaller towns and cities where parking and traffic aren't major issues. Your examples of travelling to places like Peterborough and Trenton are perfect examples of places where upon arrival, you still need a car to do anything in the town.

The demise of many of our routes were a result of VIA and before them CN CP ignoring the needs of their customers. Peterborough/Toronto is a prime example. The BUDD cars were full every single day: down in the morning back at night. There was a request for a second round trip as well but it was ignored. Instead they moved the single departure time from Peterborough a half hour later making it impractical for commuters. Those commuters arranged their jobs to accommodate the new schedule. So the rail company moved the Toronto departure to an earlier time and many of their customers couldn't change but the trains were still more than half full. Next step was to close Peterborough on the basis that it wasn't worthwhile paying staff for a single train a day. It wasn't the customers it was the railway that killed rail travel. Cottagers in Muskoka have pleaded for years to run trains to Parry Sound; particularly on weekend but CP wants so much for the rights that it can't be done and keep a decent rail fare. The speed limits on the lakeshore have been limited for years. There doesn't appear to have been any attempt to accommodate the passenger schedule in with the freight. The rail companies have worked overtime to ensure that passenger service was as inconvenient as possible so they could abandon the lines or the service. VIA hasn't offered decent service for decades; we do not have a reliable functional interurban rail system to supplement HS. For rebuilding Canada we need to look at Canada not Toronto. Here's a thought. Instead of building an EV network of chargers across the Prairies and throughout rural Canada, why not re-open intercity links via rail? Would probably cost the same

 

[YZT580]

Its corridor service is actually the only one that makes money (or, doesn't lose money), and supports its other services. It's problem with service levels are largely a result of conflicts with CN traffic, the folks who own the ROW.

Hence the need for a dedicated ROW and more frequent service. Everywhere I travelled in Europe by train had hourly service (not HS) and often it was more frequent.

 

[ytz]

Hence the need for a dedicated ROW and more frequent service.

Exactly what Alto is planning on delivering.....

 

[Furniture]

Here's a thought. Instead of building an EV network of chargers across the Prairies and throughout rural Canada, why not re-open intercity links via rail? Would probably cost the same

That ignores the reality that for most people just getting to another city isn't enough. They need a way to get around effectively in that other city, and outside of major centres there is near zero public transit.

Catching a train to Portage La Prairie or Kenora from Winnipeg is pretty useless if you're left standing on the platform or reliant on taxis.

Cottagers in Muskoka have pleaded for years to run trains to Parry Sound; particularly on weekend but CP wants so much for the rights that it can't be done and keep a decent rail fare.

So who exactly are the "little people" helped by this sort of service? The kind of people who own a cottage in Muskoka and can afford to leave a car there for the weekends, are not exactly the kind of people who need tax payer subsidized commuting to their second residence in Cottage Country.

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

Now, now. This is Canada. We can't have the same ambitions and public services as Morocco, Egypt, Uzbekistan, India or Indonesia.

India has splurged billions on metro trains. But where are the commuters?

Without better last-mile connectivity and affordable fares, metro use is unlikely to improve quickly, say experts.

www.bbc.com

So we want to have empty trains also?

 

[mariomike]

Peterborough/Toronto is a prime example. The BUDD cars were full every single day: down in the morning back at night.

The BUDD direct trip sure beat transferring to the 88 GO bus out of Oshawa.

 

[ytz]

India has splurged billions on metro trains. But where are the commuters?

Without better last-mile connectivity and affordable fares, metro use is unlikely to improve quickly, say experts.

www.bbc.com

So we want to have empty trains also?

Not sure what subway systems in India has to do with this.

 

[YZT580]

Exactly what Alto is planning on delivering.....

no it isn't. It is going to deliver a dedicated line for a few dedicated trains and not hourly service to Havelock, Marmora or even Smith Falls.

 

[ytz]

no it isn't. It is going to deliver a dedicated line for a few dedicated trains and not hourly service to Havelock, Marmora or even Smith Falls.

Alto is building a dedicated line that has hourly service between three of the six largest metros in the country with hourly (semi hourly at peak) service. Holding up a project that serves a combined catchment population of 14 million because some whistle stop towns (two of which haven't had rail service in decades) don't get hourly service is definitely a take .....

By the way, Smiths Falls definitely benefits from the new corridor if the trains from Kingston can jump on. Makes rail commutes to Ottawa possible. And they may well get a station in the future.

 

[mariomike]

India has splurged billions on metro trains. But where are the commuters?

Without better last-mile connectivity and affordable fares, metro use is unlikely to improve quickly, say experts.

www.bbc.com

So we want to have empty trains also?

Not a lot of people are using the line. It's too expensive,"

No problem filling them. As long as the rides are free.

Toronto descended into absolute chaos on New Year's Eve with enormous crowds

A dazzling fireworks display, mild weather and free transit attracted the masses to downtown Toronto on New Year's Eve, though this combination may h…

www.blogto.com

 

[Brad Sallows]

If business riders are "paying for it" why is it being built with my taxes?

If they can pay for their air travel (aircraft and facilities), they can pay for their rail travel (trains and facilities). These aren't marginal destinations requiring government subsidization that are being talked about.

 

[ytz]

If they can pay for their air travel (aircraft and facilities), they can pay for their rail travel (trains and facilities). These aren't marginal destinations requiring government subsidization that are being talked about.

I haven't seen any airlines fund airport construction well before they start flying.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

I haven't seen any airlines fund airport construction well before they start flying.

I think every airport in Canada is now run by an airport authority and they raise funds from landing fees and passenger levies. They don’t get alot of federal money.

Which is why airline travel is so expensive in Canada.

Edit: poor grammar

 

[Altair]

I think every airport in Canada are now run by airport authorities and they raise funds from landing fees and passenger levies. They don’t get alot of federal money.

Which is why airline travel is so expensive in Canada.

The point I believe is these airports don't build themselves with the power of capitalism.

Governments build these airports.

Same for HSR. Naturally the taxpayer is paying for HSR. The taxpayer pays for roads, ports, airports, ferries, bridges, why in the world wouldnt we be paying for rail?