I'm finally recovering from my traumatic leave from Atlanta and back to Canada. Currently on my way back to Teacher's College.
This post is about Via Rail- Before I start, I must say, I loved these guys to pieces before, the service, the wifi, the convenience, the refund policy and tech-savvyness of their ticketing system, etc. (It was also on here that I discovered the how to sleep really comfortably method)
They are still great, just today I had a oh those MOFO moments.
It's the first time I'm early/on time for the train...
(photo to come)
Wow, I'm actually in line for once...
My QR code ticket- they scan this on the train
(photo to come)
Lady before the entrance at Union WON'T let me on... uh guys, so first of all what is the point of this line up if you are going to check ticket on the train anyways? (Wasting Tax Payer's money)
Gasp... must run to ticket booth to get my ticket printed...
Very slow service and long line up-10 minutes left until boarding... oh FML... if I miss my train I'm gonna $%$#@!(^%!!!
Luckily the gentleman at the ticket booth was real nice, printed my ticket, and said yea we don't have all the QR scanners yet, we really should get them for the check in...^^ yes finally someone that admits to their own mistakes...
So I got on the train...... Teased at the lady jokingly "so you guys are gonna get QR scanners anytime?" I think she said something about they are waiting on them, but I was too far off the elevator to know if she was replying to my question.
Very nice scenery, and for once it's daylight outside.
(photo to come)
Ok, so I got on the train, but sheesh lady, all that hassle, what am I, Fresh off the Boat Asian Terrorist? (And there is no security baggage check). I'm not really frustrated, but just thought I'd write this to tease.
Again, paranoid, rigidly structure following, self feeling-important Canadians...
But I do still love Via Rail though, a little bit of summary:
Via Rail:
- Is a crown corporation of the government of Canada (like our beloved Limiting Consumers Buying Options stores)
- Serves 8 provinces, from East coast to West coast
- Runs tourist Canadian landscape viewing as part of its service.
- Very good customer service, the guys always help you lift your luggage up, ticketing people are nice, condiments cart service is also very nice.
- Beautiful scenery in general
- Tickets are a little expensive, but they do good package discounts for students, so better use them before you turn 25, kids.
- Very tech-savvy with their ticketing system, online immediate booking, email notification with mobile QR code scanner etc. neat!
- You could cancel your ticket even 5 minutes before the train leaves, nice.
- Free wifi, albeit very slow and doesn't let you watch video.
- Pretty comfortable seats, roomy space for putting luggages in every trunk, good leg space.
- Has no competitor in the market. Passenger train travel monopoly... Tsk tsk.
- Overall really worth the ride and would pick over other methods for medium-long distance travels (I travel from Toronto to Kingston, ticket about $60 each way if you don't buy with rail pass)
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