Are trains for Canadians?

Via Rail fire sale?

Passenger trains from Union Station in Toronto connect
to Vancouver and Halifax. Other destinations include
Rivière-du-Loup, Washago and Unity. (CP24 picture)

There are suggestions that Canada’s national passenger train system could be replaced by privately operated cruise trains.  But cruise trains are not the same as public passenger trains.  While the private sector can be a valuable partner in enhancing our national passenger rail system, we must beware of any “fire sale” that would skim the most profitable business off to private corporations and leave Canadians without affordable, year-round train service.

Beware of any promises of profitable, private passenger rail service.  Profit is in cruise trains for wealthy tourists, not in trains for Canadians.

Consider the difference...

A cruise train...
Runs in the tourist season
Stops for photos
Charges premium fares
Serves tourists only
Is profit oriented

A passenger train...


Runs all year
Stops to serve small towns
Charges affordable fares
Requires public support

Ask your MP not to listen to any high-powered lobbyists wanting to have our passenger trains privatised:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainMPsCompleteList.aspx

or write to him or her at:
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6 (no postage required)

And join Transport Action http://www.transport-action.ca/en/index.html to help us fight for sustainable, equitable and convenient public transportation for Canadians.