Recent content by TheMalahat

This is unlikely, albeit not impossible. The way the budget is written is effectively a green light for Via to make the actual purchase. Practically, it should take six to ten months to get from today to contract being signed based on usual procurement timelines, keeping in mind expressions of...

The good news about Via being a Crown Corporation is they can run their own RFP; as long as Via can move relatively swiftly this purchase should be administered before the next election!

Long distance equipment replacement was essentially confirmed as funded in the Federal Budget today; specifically, to enter into a Request for Proposals. No details on scope etc. The RFP should be public and I'd assume released pretty quickly - that will answer at least what routes, and by...

I'd imagine they aren't posted as they change constantly? (Assuming we are talking about sleeper dining car service).

Via got the budget authority today to start the actual Request for Proposals for long distance equipment replacement. There's literally no details, as the government says "to protect its negotiation position" which makes a lot of sense. In any event quite relevant to this thread as we could...

While the actual reality of Amtrak's Charger woes can't be defined with what we know, I do think you're erred in this quote. Via does have higher reliability, in arguably often harsher conditions. We know this a few ways, not the least of which was Via's equipment reporting to Parliament last...

I'll pay for business Vancouver, BC -} Seattle just to skip the customs line if I'm with my family. Assuming it isn't a 300% upcharge, of course! Generally I'm willing to do about 50% ish.

Via, although quasi-independent, needs the government's authority for big purchases. Although there exceptions, you'll rarely see big purchases like this initiated in Canada from November to February-ish. In March you start seeing funding announcements for capital projects with funds released...

In fairness to Siemens, it's really looking like it's specifications from the State Order of Ventures that are causing issues unique to that order. Via hasn't had similar issues, and Brightline doesn't appear to have (but being fully private, if they did, maybe we wouldn't know with no reporting...

Military discount can be layered on almost everything. It's awesome, and definitely applies to the room. I'm eligible and have gotten some insane deals, and now that point redemption also applies to points I'm taking the Canadian, with family, for free this summer for literally half the points...

Oh America, such a funny place 😂 Via Rail just issued a RFP for 39 F40s to get life extensions into 2035. That's a suitable quantity for the whole long distance network. Hopefully this is timed to be generally with a combined-ish order with Amtrak. If Via doesn't purchase before the next...

This also allows anyone along the SkyTrain system to make it to Pacific Central on weekdays, and most of the system to make it on weekends. It was really tight for SkyTrain with the 635am start, particularly on weekends.

Wow, I know the new system is not 100% but I just booked Halifax -> Toronto in sleeper + business for around 2100 points... Until yesterday I didn't have enough to book Halifax to Montreal, and certainly not the add on to Toronto.

Yes! Someone else posted those on another rail group, and it proved to be a great addition for my travel bag. They're odly expensive right now [In Canada]?

They're all still legal tender, but you may confuse the person accepting it! $1, $2, $25, $500 and $1,000 bills are no longer legal tender, but can be 'turned in' to the Bank of Canada via any major Canadian bank, in Canada where they'll be exchanged for face value. $5, $10, $20, $50 and...