by jp1822
In talking with a couple of attendants on the Canadian and Skeena trains I travelled on recently, appears VIA is looking to extend the Skeena from Jasper to Edmonton next year, but not sure if the fourth frequency in peak period will survive. Main reason to Edmonton - transportation (airport) and population hub. CN has supposedly agreed on the schedule and routing. I think this will be a great move on VIA's part.
VIA's also put in for operating 6 days a week between Jasper and Vancouver, during peak period - which is claimed to be summer. However, I would think the 6 days a week would also work well in the winter, or additional frequencies other than just three days a week between these city pairs.
Will VIA get back on the CP route between Vancouver and Calgary - lots of differing reports from VIA personnel I talked to on that one. We all know the political stronghold Rocky Mountaineer has on this route, but supposedly VIA is ready to step in at moment's notice if they get the green light. They've done market studies and all to state the service will work (no doubt in my mind). One thing in favor of VIA now is that CP is supposedly double tracking more of the route - on the Calgary end? I personally don't see VIA getting back on the CP route between Calgary and Vancouver as long as Rocky Mountaineer is on the line - but hey - Rocky Mountaineer has no problem in invading on VIA's turf - CN portion of the Canadian and soon the Skeena route (Prince George outskirts to Jasper).
I am not sure how new trains or adjustments to frequencies of existing trains work on VIA, but I kept getting the sense that "someone" just needs to sign off on it and its good to go.
The Enterprise indeed is history. But some VIA attendants and personnel questioned whether it would just come back in what seemed to be the peak period for this train - which I assume would be the summer when it gets the most of VIA's Canadian connecting passengers. There were a lot of people connecting to the Enterprise from the Canadian when I arrived into Toronto this month! And it was a weekday! I am sorry to see the Enterprise go - mainly due to its connection with the Canadian.
VIA's also put in for operating 6 days a week between Jasper and Vancouver, during peak period - which is claimed to be summer. However, I would think the 6 days a week would also work well in the winter, or additional frequencies other than just three days a week between these city pairs.
Will VIA get back on the CP route between Vancouver and Calgary - lots of differing reports from VIA personnel I talked to on that one. We all know the political stronghold Rocky Mountaineer has on this route, but supposedly VIA is ready to step in at moment's notice if they get the green light. They've done market studies and all to state the service will work (no doubt in my mind). One thing in favor of VIA now is that CP is supposedly double tracking more of the route - on the Calgary end? I personally don't see VIA getting back on the CP route between Calgary and Vancouver as long as Rocky Mountaineer is on the line - but hey - Rocky Mountaineer has no problem in invading on VIA's turf - CN portion of the Canadian and soon the Skeena route (Prince George outskirts to Jasper).
I am not sure how new trains or adjustments to frequencies of existing trains work on VIA, but I kept getting the sense that "someone" just needs to sign off on it and its good to go.
The Enterprise indeed is history. But some VIA attendants and personnel questioned whether it would just come back in what seemed to be the peak period for this train - which I assume would be the summer when it gets the most of VIA's Canadian connecting passengers. There were a lot of people connecting to the Enterprise from the Canadian when I arrived into Toronto this month! And it was a weekday! I am sorry to see the Enterprise go - mainly due to its connection with the Canadian.