Are the Vancouver Island RDC's and the Sunset Limited east of New Orleans not also 'suspended'.
This may well be the end of the Gaspe' train regardless of what they call it.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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A 'Q' to our Canadian members informed of VIA affairs.
What regulatory oversight, if any, is there of VIA's routes and services? In short, can VIA unilaterally discontinue service, or is there a process of public hearings and other protocols that must be adhered to?
For ready reference, Amtrak, under ARAA 97, is required to give 180 Day Notice of intent to discontinue service over any route (not frequencies). There is a process of public hearings and review by the Surface Transportation Board with the request either being affirmed or denied.
However, it should be noted that Amtrak has never been denied authority to discontinue a route, and in one instance, Sunset East, it appears that Amtrak has been successful in discontinuing that route even though Notice was never served.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: A 'Q' to our Canadian members informed of VIA affairs.
What regulatory oversight, if any, is there of VIA's routes and services? In short, can VIA unilaterally discontinue service, or is there a process of public hearings and other protocols that must be adhered to? ...
The regulations have been eliminated. VIA can do anything it wishes subject, of course, to political pressure. The last time VIA had to apply to discontinue a train was well before the 1990 chop by the Conservative government of Brian Mulroney. VIA wanted to discontinue the lightly-patronised overnight Toronto-Ottawa train (which actually ran with the Montreal train for most of its route.)I can't remember the year, but the Transport Commission ruled in favour of VIA. By the time of the 1990 cuts, according to press reports, the government simply told VIA what to do with its budget being cut in half. The recent cut to VIA services appears not to have been as political. The government reduced the budget but appears to have let VIA decide what services to cut. VIA has to give 90 days notice - not because of any regulation, but to honour union contracts.
Posts: 216 | From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 2000
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