Ottawa should consider train passenger bill of rights, Via Rail CEO says (globalnews.ca)

submitted 2 years ago by sik0fewl@kbin.social to c/canada@lemmy.ca

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In an interview, CEO Mario Peloquin says the federal government should move toward a charter that would ensure train passengers receive compensation for long delays.

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[-] ValueSubtracted@startrek.website 28 points 2 years ago

Well, that seems like an odd thing for a CEO to advocate for...

If the reason for the disruption stems from one of Canada’s two main freight railways – whose tracks Via runs on – he says they would be the ones to pay up, further incentivizing smooth operations along the line.

Peloquin, who stepped into the top job at Via in June, is also calling for rules that would give the Crown corporation’s trains formal right of way over freight trains, a privilege Amtrak passenger cars enjoy in the U.S.

Ah.

[-] Nouveau_Burnswick@lemmy.world 7 points 2 years ago

I've heard, and it's on rumour, that in areas where via does have priority (like the corridor) CN/CP just run trains longer than the sidings, so they can't more out of the way.

[-] rbesfe@lemmy.ca 6 points 2 years ago

Freight companies already do the same thing in the US and are unfortunately completely within their rights to do so

[-] kent_eh@lemmy.ca 3 points 2 years ago

Thwy run those longer trains on days when ther isn't a scheduled VIA train too.

I don't think it's specifically done to screw VIA, even if that is one of the results.

[-] ValueSubtracted@startrek.website 2 points 2 years ago

Yeah, that sounds familiar - I think I've heard something similar, though I have no idea where.

[-] Segab@beehaw.org 3 points 2 years ago

Classic case of "Socialize the costs, privatize the profits"

[-] TotallyHuman@lemmy.ca 9 points 2 years ago

Via is a crown corporation, though, so aren't the profits also socialized? Correct me if I don't understand how crown corporations work.

[-] phx@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 years ago

Yes, and I believe the rail companies that are tying up the tracks likely are not, so it really is more making them pay for inefficiencies which impact the citizens taking passenger rail

[-] Cort@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

Yeah it doesn't work in the US though because the freight companies run trains too long to fit into the areas where trains wait for other trains (with right of way) to pass.