by ENR3870
I took a trip on the Malahat on Thursday. First time I've been on it since the new schedule and I have to say, I really don't like this new schedule.
For starters, the layover in Nanaimo has unoffically been abolished, because the schedule is so tight the train is getting into Nanaimo so late that they load/unload passengers, change crews and are off again in about 5 minutes. The roach coach no longer meets the train at Nanaimo as the train doesn't sit there like it used to, luckily there was food at Courtenay as I didn't pack a lunch.
It also takes away any chance of a break for the crews, even in Courtenay those guys don't get much of a break. After getting the train ready for the trip back to Victoria its about time to load the passengers and depart. At least with the old schedule the train sat in Courtenay for half an hour, giving the crew a little time to take a bit of a lunch break after getting the train ready for the return trip.
I do like the new Sunday schedule with the train leaving 2 hrs earlier, but IMHO VIA should have left the Monday-Saturday schedule alone, or at least added some padding to the schedule by keeping the 1800 arrival time back in Victoria. An 1800 arrival in Victoria still leaves enough time to catch the 2100 ferry to Vancouver.
For starters, the layover in Nanaimo has unoffically been abolished, because the schedule is so tight the train is getting into Nanaimo so late that they load/unload passengers, change crews and are off again in about 5 minutes. The roach coach no longer meets the train at Nanaimo as the train doesn't sit there like it used to, luckily there was food at Courtenay as I didn't pack a lunch.
It also takes away any chance of a break for the crews, even in Courtenay those guys don't get much of a break. After getting the train ready for the trip back to Victoria its about time to load the passengers and depart. At least with the old schedule the train sat in Courtenay for half an hour, giving the crew a little time to take a bit of a lunch break after getting the train ready for the return trip.
I do like the new Sunday schedule with the train leaving 2 hrs earlier, but IMHO VIA should have left the Monday-Saturday schedule alone, or at least added some padding to the schedule by keeping the 1800 arrival time back in Victoria. An 1800 arrival in Victoria still leaves enough time to catch the 2100 ferry to Vancouver.
Tyler W.