How reliable is Via Rail?

[Merseysider]

Hi all,

I'm booked on Train 98 from Niagara Falls to Union Station (17:45 -> 19:41) on July 5th.

I had a search online but couldn't find anything recent regarding punctuality.

How likely is it that this service will run (on time)? There's a Rivers of Nihil gig over in Etobicoke that evening which I'd like to buy a ticket for, and I should make it if the train's on time.

All input welcome

 

[cactustwirly]

Hi all,

I'm booked on Train 98 from Niagara Falls to Union Station (17:45 -> 19:41) on July 5th.

I had a search online but couldn't find anything recent regarding punctuality.

How likely is it that this service will run (on time)? There's a Rivers of Nihil gig over in Etobicoke that evening which I'd like to buy a ticket for, and I should make it if the train's on time.

All input welcome

Not likely at all, the tracks are owned by the freight companies, who give priority to the freight trains.

 

[dutchflyer]

But its not a long-dist. train and its a quite short run, so any delays should not be overt the top, like sometimes is posted for the interconti-winter-snow-lagged Canadian.
There are-of course-also just as fast and much more frequent buses. These are in general in Norte Americano much more reliable in times of stick to schedule as the iron monsters.

 

[jamesontheroad]

Via Rail #98 is the continuation of Amtrak #63, the "Maple Leaf", the daily New York City - Toronto train. Unlike the New York - Montréal "Adirondack", which remains Amtrak-operated throughout, the New York - Toronto train is jointly operated on either side of the border, hence the different train numbers. Amtrak fans take particular delight in the way in which the entire buffet car is restocked with VIA Rail cafe bar products north of Niagara.

Unfortunately, the cross-border trains are highly liable to disruption, thanks partly to Amtrak's poor timekeeping south of the border, but mainly because of the unpredictable nature of the customs and immigration checks that will occur before the train is released to proceed north from Niagara Falls.

If an on-time arrival in Toronto is important to you, I'd recommend an earlier departure on one of the Go Transit trains or buses.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Punctual trains? North America?

No chance.

If I recall correctly there was a story last week about the Canadian being over a day late.

 

[Merseysider]

Yes, 31 hours late, according to Tripadvisor

I’ll hold off booking a ticket for the show then, and if we’re on time let’s home there’s some left on the door!

Incidentally, I am booked on the Canadian departing July 10th, but I’m not booking my hotel at the other end until we actually reach Vancouver

If an on-time arrival in Toronto is important to you, I'd recommend an earlier departure on one of the Go Transit trains or buses.

Did the Megabus for a dollar last time I was there, never again

It’ll be interesting to see what’s changed in the last two years though!

 

[Bletchleyite]

The Canadian is brilliant - enjoy it. Just don't expect it to be on time, or indeed anything vaguely approximating to it

It's likely (but not certain) to arrive on the correct day though

 

[jamesontheroad]

I would offer one caution: like Amtrak, VIA Rail’s long distance trains (the Canadian and the Ocean) are more susceptible to delays because of the huge distances they cover and the infrequency of passenger service on busy freight railroads. However the Ontario - Quebec corridor (Windsor, London, Sarnia, Toronto, Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City) is fast and reliable, and much of it is on VIA owned and operated track.

 

[williamn]

My two recent trips on this train have been on time. There is a LOT of padding built into the schedule on the US side (45 mins at Niagara Falls, US station and then over an hour for customs at Niagara Falls, CA, which is more than generally needed).

Get there 30 mins before departure - if the train is late staff will let you know and you will be redirected onto a GO bus.

 

[williamn]

Via Rail #98 is the continuation of Amtrak #63, the "Maple Leaf", the daily New York City - Toronto train. Unlike the New York - Montréal "Adirondack", which remains Amtrak-operated throughout, the New York - Toronto train is jointly operated on either side of the border, hence the different train numbers. Amtrak fans take particular delight in the way in which the entire buffet car is restocked with VIA Rail cafe bar products north of Niagara.

Unfortunately, the cross-border trains are highly liable to disruption, thanks partly to Amtrak's poor timekeeping south of the border, but mainly because of the unpredictable nature of the customs and immigration checks that will occur before the train is released to proceed north from Niagara Falls.

If an on-time arrival in Toronto is important to you, I'd recommend an earlier departure on one of the Go Transit trains or buses.

Its also notable that when the buffet is restocked by VIA that the food becomes a lot nicer, and the signage looks modern rather than being out of the 1950's. Also notable is that with the change the employees become friendly and helpful rather than viewing passengers as an inconvenience as seems to be case on Amtrak.

 

[jamesontheroad]

Its also notable that when the buffet is restocked by VIA that the food becomes a lot nicer, and the signage looks modern rather than being out of the 1950's. Also notable is that with the change the employees become friendly and helpful rather than viewing passengers as an inconvenience as seems to be case on Amtrak.

This reminds me that some very particular Amtrak-fans (Amfans?) get very excited about the swapping out of either Coca-Cola and Pepsi products - it's one or the other and I don't particularly care which way round it is. The Maple Leaf is, apparently, the only time you can get one of them on Amtrak metal

 

[hexagon789]

Yes, 31 hours late, according to Tripadvisor

One was recently 45 hours late, VIA had to cancel a departure in each direction to get the schedule back on track as it were.

I believe they are in discussions with the freight operator about completely redoing the schedule for The Canadian this summer to avoid repeats of these sort of delays.

 

[Lockwood]

One was recently 45 hours late

And people complain if a service here is late by 4 or 5 minutes!

 

[hexagon789]

And people complain if a service here is late by 4 or 5 minutes!

I wonder if VIA do delay repay at all.

I'd hope people got something for such an horrific delay.

 

[Merseysider]

I wonder if VIA do delay repay at all.

I'd hope people got something for such an horrific delay.

Apparently compensation for delays is only offered on the Quebec - Windsor corridor!

 

[williamn]

I'm not sure they do. I did get some very limited compensation for a 2 hour delay once. But its not automatic. VIA Rail is however, again unlike Amtrak, pretty customer-centric.

 

[hexagon789]

Apparently compensation for delays is only offered on the Quebec - Windsor corridor!

If that's the case, that's rather poor on their part considering the fares.

 

[williamn]

Trouble is, being liable for compensation, but having no control over timekeeping on many routes because they don't own the tracks and are at the whim of the freight railroads.

 

[hexagon789]

Trouble is, being liable for compensation, but having no control over timekeeping on many routes because they don't own the tracks and are at the whim of the freight railroads.

That does seem to be the crux of the matter delay wise, coupled with VIA not being accorded any legal priority over freight as Amtrak is in the US.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'm not sure they do. I did get some very limited compensation for a 2 hour delay once. But its not automatic. VIA Rail is however, again unlike Amtrak, pretty customer-centric.

Canada does generally seem to be a country in which being nice to people is very important regardless of who you are, whereas in the US that, for service employees, is very often not the case.

 

[williamn]

Canada does generally seem to be a country in which being nice to people is very important regardless of who you are, whereas in the US that, for service employees, is very often not the case.

Ironic given the US's reputation for good customer service, which in my experience is so often not based in reality. After three years of living in Canada I feel that service employees being friendly and warm is usually genuine, whereas in the US it is just what they have to do to earn a tip. Or, in the case of Amtrak, just not done at all!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Ironic given the US's reputation for good customer service, which in my experience is so often not based in reality. After three years of living in Canada I feel that service employees being friendly and warm is usually genuine, whereas in the US it is just what they have to do to earn a tip. Or, in the case of Amtrak, just not done at all!

Indeed. In the US it seems fake, in the UK they largely don't bother, while in Canada it seems genuine.

It really is an incredibly beautiful country by and large full of very nice people. I'm quite envious of you living there!