In terms of services and amenities, how do they compare? I know they operate in different markets, but what would a passenger on Amtrak experience that someone on VIA might miss and vice versa?
I've taken the Maple Leaf from Toronto to New York several times. Within Canada, it's a VIA train and that includes the food and beer in the cafe car that are all Canadian products. When crossing at Niagara Falls, all of that is replaced with American items. But, watch it if you try to pay for a beer in Canadian money, the cafe car guys don't like that. Even if it's all US money except for one Canadian dime in the mix. "Yo,yo,yo what's this?" the guy said angrily and grabbed the beer bottle out of my hand. Not good.
54light15 I've taken the Maple Leaf from Toronto to New York several times. Within Canada, it's a VIA train and that includes the food and beer in the cafe car that are all Canadian products. When crossing at Niagara Falls, all of that is replaced with American items. But, watch it if you try to pay for a beer in Canadian money, the cafe car guys don't like that. Even if it's all US money except for one Canadian dime in the mix. "Yo,yo,yo what's this?" the guy said angrily and grabbed the beer bottle out of my hand. Not good.
I thought Amtrak trains are cashless now, at least that was the case the last time I rode Amtrak. So this should not be an issue any longer.
UlrichIn terms of services and amenities, how do they compare? I know they operate in different markets, but what would a passenger on Amtrak experience that someone on VIA might miss and vice versa?
My experience was about 10-15 years ago but back then VIA Rail had something going on where the Eastern Canadians were staffing the Skeena. They were generally OK but could not keep from discussing politics and that is not a smart thing to do if your in a customer service trade in my view. Their politics were also askew of the provinces the train was traveling across. They offended a few people with that but humourous to observe the mistake from my seat. So some entertainment value regardless.
The last time I used VIA was in the late 1980s-early 90s. Back then service was mostly daily. There ar a lot less routes now, and no daily long distance, whereas Amtrak is almost all daily. Also Canada has not provided VIA with any provision to hold the host railroad to passenger train priority. Amtrak's establishing legislation at least provides that their passenger trains have priority, although sometimes it has been thwarted in enforcing the law. CN is one of the worst scofflaws, which seems to be a carryover from the way it operates with regard to passenger trains north of the border. On the other hand, CP is one of the best at handling Amtrak's trains.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.