this post was submitted on 20 Feb 2024
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[–] tunetardis@lemmy.ca 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Much of that involves building dedicated rail so that passenger trains don’t get stuck behind freight trains. Indeed, it looks like Via is going to do that — at least on the Windsor–Quebec City corridor, where 96 per cent of Via trips take place.

I think this is the key? I can't help but think Via is forever fighting the battle with one hand tied behind its back. In theory, if it's not going to be a high speed service, it should at least be price-competitive with intercity buses as rail is a more efficient form of transport. But bus companies don't have to lease the roads from companies that can raise the rates the minute they start to show a profit, or prioritize freight on those roads. If they owned their own lines, they could legit start offering reliable, high-speed service.

[–] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If they owned their own lines, they could legit start offering reliable, high-speed service.

If we owned the lines, you mean? Then we set the priority, and the maintenance and budget and operating history is all open; and more is spent keeping it running and less on CEO bonuses.

In which universe is cross-country daytime shipping truly the priority anyway? Only to the shipper's bottom line.

We have transportation and highways; why is this ministry not in charge of rail and wires?

[–] tunetardis@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 year ago

That's fair, yeah. To have a truly level playing field between buses and trains, the rail should be a public resource just like the roads.