Canada’s VIA Rail faces an existential crisis
Battered by Covid lockdowns, fatigued rolling stock, and other factors, Canada’s publicly-owned intercity passenger system is mired in an existential crisis over which it has little or no control. That is the depressing message in VIA Rail’s 2021-2025 Corporate Plan. VIA Rail’s future depends upon a rapid rebound in travel and tourism to restore revenues, the beneficence of rival railways in renting track and station access, and a greatly expanded largesse on the part of present and future national governments. [railwayage.com]
Austrians going all-you-can-ride with new ticket
For Romina Mayer, there was no question that she had to buy the KlimaTicket (the “Climate Ticket”) when it launched. It gives her unlimited access to every form of public transportation in Austria: All buses, undergrounds, trams and local, regional and national trains. “I bought it immediately,” said the musician and music teacher from Vienna. The KlimaTicket was introduced in late October 2021. Selling 134,000 tickets in the first two months, it shattered the government’s first-year target by over 30 percent before 2022 had even begun. [nextcity.org]
Charlotte’s six-month-old streetcar line struggling
Charlotte’s CityLYNX Gold Line streetcar was intended to bridge communities torn apart by past transportation decisions. But six months after the opening of its second phase, the project still faces delays and reliability issues. Those have included delays, in some cases of 20 to 30 minutes, vehicles blocking the tracks, inclement weather, manpower constraints and mechanical issues. Because of the system’s inability to operate the streetcar at the intended 20-minute frequency, the streetcar is free for the foreseeable future. [charlotte.axios.com]
Slow progress for India’s high-speed rail revolution
From Mumbai’s packed commuter trains to overnight express mail trains, to the astonishing Himalayan “Toy Trains,” railways are one of India’s most recognizable features. Without them, it’s unlikely the country would have developed into the economic superpower we see today. However, now, its railways are under increasing pressure to move with the times. Traditional systems might have served India well but they’re increasingly outdated, especially when viewed against the rapid progress being made by India’s neighbor and rival for regional supremacy — China. [cnn.com]
