VIA Rail: Petition for Service Restoration

[dewline]

"Petition to the Government of Canada
Whereas:

Passenger rail is a safe, efficient, sustainable, affordable, and accessible mode of public transportation;
Due to federal cutbacks and underinvestment over many years, Canada’s current passenger rail services lag far behind those available in other countries;
Since its creation in 1978, VIA Rail has lacked both the legislative mandate and stable budget necessary to maintain and expand passenger rail service in Canada;
While VIA Rail's on-time performance on tracks it owns is over 90 percent, it is only 60 percent on tracks it shares with other railways;
Rail privatization and outsourcing schemes in other countries have led to higher fares, reduced service, deteriorating safety performance, and lower salaries for workers;
Unlike other public passenger rail providers around the world, VIA Rail lacks representation from passengers and workers on its board of directors; and
In its Corporate Plan, VIA has warned that its long-distance fleet, built in the 1950s, is overdue for replacement, without which it will soon be unable to provide services in Atlantic and Western Canada.

We, the undersigned, Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:
1. Incorporate the contents of Bills C-371, the Rail Passenger Priority Act, and C-236/C-640 (41-2) the VIA Rail Canada Act, in a Government Bill and prioritize its passage through the legislative process;
2. Commit, in the 2024 federal budget, the funds necessary to renew VIA Rail’s long-distance fleet;
3. Provide passenger and worker representation on VIA Rail’s board of directors; and
4. Revise the High Frequency Rail project to protect VIA Rail’s role in delivering public passenger rail service along the Windsor to Quebec City corridor."

https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-4754

Comments

[malada]

We need some of that here down south in the US of A.

[dewline]

I seem to recall such being one of Joe Biden's ongoing projects. A good thing, that!

[extraarcha]

All over the USA, not just 'down south' #wink

[malada]

Well, when I said "Down South in the U S of A" I was referring to all of America -- it's just that the original post dealt with Canada. *All* of the US is 'south' of Canada.

[extraarcha]

I guess my jest was too dry?
My bad.
To some of us, "down south" is below the Mason-Dixon line.
I'll try again another time?
 

☃

[malada]

No problem!

*hugs*

[dewline]

As ever, to a large faction of Canadians, all USA citizens are filed away as "damn Yanks". It may be neither accurate nor fair. It's still their perception.

Anyway, back to the passenger rail discussion.

[blogcutter]

I signed that one immediately! Frankly I'm surprised it only has some 300 signatures so far, but I guess it's early days yet - and maybe your advocacy will help! I'm still lamenting the loss of our steam train (1201) that used to run between the Science & Tech Museum and Wakefield.

[extraarcha]

I rode the Windsor to Quebec line many years ago. Service to Quebec was a good ride. On the way back, severe cold weather set in just as we were boarding the train. The cold caused some problem and our train was stopped for a couple of hours on the way back.

When stationed in Germany, also many years ago, i rode their fantastic trains a bunch of times.

Mistake: Allowing Super Greedy Corporations to run what should be publicly owned utilities.