Union has 3 concourses: Bay, Via, and York. Also, the platforms are currently being expanded, it is the final work to be completed in the renovation that has been taking place over the last 15 years.
VIA's new Siemens Venture trains are certainly quieter, smoother, and much more modern and pleasant than most of VIA's older cars. The key for VIA Rail, going forward, is to work out delay issues related to the host railway which is CN in this case. VIA needs dedicated track with better infrastructure and far fewer automobile crossings. Still, my preference for travelling in the Quebec City-Toronto (Windsor) Corridor remains VIA Rail, especially their impressive Business Class. Thanks for posting your video today - good overview.
Is the new business class much better here than on the older trains? I wasn't too happy with it last year. A dedicated track would be a huge plus for Via service. They also have to work on their stations and pricing...I think they operate too much like an airline. Glad you enjoyed the video!
@@theglobalpeasant VIA's Business Class includes access to the Panorama Lounge, pre-boarding, welcome snack & drink, meal with wine, complimentary alcoholic beverages, and a 2-1 seating - similar to what they offer on their older equipment. They key, as you mentioned, is to book early to get very good fares. Yes, they do operate like an airline except on their long distance trains: "The Canadian" between Toronto & Vancouver and "The Ocean" between Montreal & Halifax. Corridor passenger train service has been as you and I describe for a couple of decades. Classic train service with diners, lounges, and dome cars remains on their long-distance trains - except VIA had no choice but to remove their dome on "The Ocean" in recent times. Hope that helps.
Unless Via trains either get priority over freight trains or end up running on dedicated tracks so as to operate at higher speeds and substantially shorten travel times, it's highly unlikely that more travellers will embrace train travel in Canada! It doesn't have to be this way!
Ontario Northland has ordered three of these trainsets (although a three-car variety) for its revival of the Northlander service from Toronto to Timmins in 2026.
Actually technically union station has three concourse, the York, the via concourse and the Bay concourse and also Union is currently in the middle of renovating their train sheds and making platforms bigger hence the construction around the place
Good to know about the platforms..funny, I usually use the Bay concourse for GO. I could be wrong, but I don't think the signage for the Bay concourse is as well marked as York
@@theglobalpeasant actually your right about the signage, the bay concourse is definitely not well coordinated, for someone who’s never been there before would be difficult to find but because I use union a lot, I’m well familiar with the place, I know all the shortcuts, entrances, exits and passageways, it’s like playing original legend of Zelda. lol. And yes the union station project is something I’ve been following since it’s planning days 😊
Looking at the sign for seat designation, I think I would be confused. I see neither the aisle nor the window depicted. I tend to think the upper number designates the seat farther away, and the lower number shows the more proximate seat, i.e. nearest to you, pointing at your feet as it were. If it were airline style, a through k, for example, C would be the aisle. However, with D at the bottom, I would think D was the aisle although seems illogical.
These new trains run specific routes and time times. Check the website for current train numbers!
www.viarail.ca/en/plan/new-fleet
Union has 3 concourses: Bay, Via, and York. Also, the platforms are currently being expanded, it is the final work to be completed in the renovation that has been taking place over the last 15 years.
VIA's new Siemens Venture trains are certainly quieter, smoother, and much more modern and pleasant than most of VIA's older cars. The key for VIA Rail, going forward, is to work out delay issues related to the host railway which is CN in this case. VIA needs dedicated track with better infrastructure and far fewer automobile crossings. Still, my preference for travelling in the Quebec City-Toronto (Windsor) Corridor remains VIA Rail, especially their impressive Business Class. Thanks for posting your video today - good overview.
Is the new business class much better here than on the older trains? I wasn't too happy with it last year. A dedicated track would be a huge plus for Via service. They also have to work on their stations and pricing...I think they operate too much like an airline. Glad you enjoyed the video!
@@theglobalpeasant VIA's Business Class includes access to the Panorama Lounge, pre-boarding, welcome snack & drink, meal with wine, complimentary alcoholic beverages, and a 2-1 seating - similar to what they offer on their older equipment. They key, as you mentioned, is to book early to get very good fares. Yes, they do operate like an airline except on their long distance trains: "The Canadian" between Toronto & Vancouver and "The Ocean" between Montreal & Halifax. Corridor passenger train service has been as you and I describe for a couple of decades. Classic train service with diners, lounges, and dome cars remains on their long-distance trains - except VIA had no choice but to remove their dome on "The Ocean" in recent times. Hope that helps.
Really nice you can catch the train out from Scarborough Guildwood! Sometimes heading into Union station can be a pain so nice to have an alternative
Unless Via trains either get priority over freight trains or end up running on dedicated tracks so as to operate at higher speeds and substantially shorten travel times, it's highly unlikely that more travellers will embrace train travel in Canada!
It doesn't have to be this way!
Ontario Northland has ordered three of these trainsets (although a three-car variety) for its revival of the Northlander service from Toronto to Timmins in 2026.
You're correct. Last I looked though the purchase wasn't confirmed. It will be good to have trains back to Northern Ontario once more!
Actually technically union station has three concourse, the York, the via concourse and the Bay concourse and also Union is currently in the middle of renovating their train sheds and making platforms bigger hence the construction around the place
Good to know about the platforms..funny, I usually use the Bay concourse for GO. I could be wrong, but I don't think the signage for the Bay concourse is as well marked as York
@@theglobalpeasant actually your right about the signage, the bay concourse is definitely not well coordinated, for someone who’s never been there before would be difficult to find but because I use union a lot, I’m well familiar with the place, I know all the shortcuts, entrances, exits and passageways, it’s like playing original legend of Zelda. lol. And yes the union station project is something I’ve been following since it’s planning days 😊
Looking at the sign for seat designation, I think I would be confused. I see neither the aisle nor the window depicted. I tend to think the upper number designates the seat farther away, and the lower number shows the more proximate seat, i.e. nearest to you, pointing at your feet as it were. If it were airline style, a through k, for example, C would be the aisle. However, with D at the bottom, I would think D was the aisle although seems illogical.
I tried to look for another signage, such as on the seat or above and found none. I think it's confusing.
Don't know anyone who took the via rail
Look at all those empty seats