While I think this is a good thing I don't believe GO taking over this route is such a good idea. As in the past with GO transit
these things have a tendency of not always going as planned. GO ran trains to Casino Rama for a while then decided that it wasn't such a great idea.
Then they ran trains to Guelph again they later decided that this wasn't working out, so who's to say GO will stick it out when it comes
to Niagara Falls? I really don't believe the numbers are there to warrant GO service of the magnitude that GO has announced. To my knowledge
GO had no intention of running 4 trains each way and that it was MPP Jim Bradley who was pushing for this. What if like you say GO does force Via Rail out,
what then happens if GO transit decides there isn't enough traffic to warrant running trains? Niagara falls could have the situation of having no trains at all.
I don't know about you but I have no desire of riding a GO train from Toronto to Niagara Falls and return, it's uncomfortable enough to have to ride one from Hamilton
to Union Station. But don't take my word for it, when Via has run GO trains as substitutes in the past they have offered a 50% travel credit due to the uncomfortable seating
and inconvenience. I'm a firm believer that there is another alternative, something along the lines of a GO/Via train. GO By-level coaches with more comfortable reclining
seats, area's for baggage, bikes, maybe even food service. There's no reason GO couldn't provide the coaches and Via Rail the locomotives, crews and food service.
This way Via could free up coaches for other area's in the corridor and GO wouldn't have to scramble to find more crews they don't have. Also this allows the Federal Government
and Provincial Governments to share the cost of this intercity service. Why does it have to be one way or the other? Maybe it's time someone thought outside the box.
MACTRAXX wrote:NS: Good news on GO Transit running trains to Niagara Falls-it is a start.
I feel that GO should eventually take over this line from VIA-except the thru Maple Leaf service to NY State.
With the population growth on the Niagara Peninsula and greater emphasis of Niagara Falls access by rail from Toronto and Hamilton this service has good potential...
MACTRAXX