Timetable changes on May 1

VIA has announced an number of changes to the schedules its of trains in the Quebec City to Windsor corridor. For more details see Canada Newswire.

The new timetables (effective May 1. 2005) are now available on VIA'a website at viarail.ca. It includes the recent schedule change to Ontario Northland's Northlander.

One thing noticably missing is a schedule for the Bras d'Or.

Ken V wrote:The new timetables (effective May 1. 2005) are now available on VIA'a website at viarail.ca. It includes the recent schedule change to Ontario Northland's Northlander.

One thing noticably missing is a schedule for the Bras d'Or.

Sadly, the Bras D'Or will not run next year either. I have information from a VIA manager that it may never run again - as a VIA train, that is - even if the line is saved indefinitely. Because it is a tourist train and does not provide basic coach class service, it must make a profit, something it did only in its first two years.

marquisofmississauga wrote:Sadly, the Bras D'Or will not run next year either. I have information from a VIA manager that it may never run again - as a VIA train, that is - even if the line is saved indefinitely. Because it is a tourist train and does not provide basic coach class service, it must make a profit, something it did only in its first two years.

David... That is indeed sad news especially in light of VIA's intention to add a second trip on Saturday during the peak season this year. I was holding out a small glimmer of hope that there would be some resolution to CB&CNS financial difficulties and VIA would announce that the Bras d'Or would run. While I have never ridden this train and had no plans to do so, the loss of any passenger train is hard to take.

I agree that, as a tourist train, the operation should be expected to make a profit, and I don't have a problem with a Crown Corporation making money in one area to subsidize other unprofitable areas.

Hopefully, if the line survives, some tourist operator will take up the cause. I wonder if Peter Armstrong (RMR) would be interested.