[DSCToronto]

Separate trains will also help speed things up. With one train, they have to wait until everyone has cleared customs and immigration before continuing on, but if they are transferring to a different train, they can schedule the departure of the second train for enough time for most people to clear (similar to transferring at an airport). If someone is getting grilled, the second train can leave on schedule, and that person can catch the next train. Wort case and the person doesn't clear immigration, they can take a train back to where they came from (harder, though not impossible, to do if the train is continuing on in the same direction).

Catching the next train is only a viable option if the next train is not 24 hours later!

 

[Garuda]

The difference between how Amtrak works and how VIA works is the State-supported routes. All we have is “NEC” and “long distance” and that optimizing layer in between is absent. For example, Quebec could partner with VIA to run a Borealis-like train from Quebec City to Mont-Joli or Metane which would have a reliable and convenient timetable compared to the Ocean. But there is a seeming belief in many provinces that if you just sit on your hands long enough the Feds will do it, and pay.

Heck, the fact that there isn’t a Montreal-Sherbrooke train service is frustrating. Decent population, lots of students and already heavily travelled by bus.

 

[micheal_can]

I was more thinking something like London to Toronto without starting in Sarnia or Windsor. Or a new Calgary Vancouver run.

Anything is possible with enough money. As others are pointing out, that money has to come from somewhere. When I look at Via,I live in the woulda coulda shoulda about what Via could with proper funding.