Via Rail Evacuation Prompts Language Complaint

From The CBC:

The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages has received a complaint concerning the Via rail evacuation in eastern Ontario following an engine fire Sunday evening.

The office confirmed it has received the complaint, which follows passengers' accounts in the media describing trouble obtaining emergency instructions in French during the evacuation. However, as of Tuesday, the office had not yet determined whether the complaint will result in an investigation.

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My Comment: Two years ago I was evacuated from a subway car between Verdun and LaSalle metro stations. The evacuation announcements were done entirely in French .... I had to translate to elderly citizens on what was happening.

Even though almost half of Montreal is Anglophone/Allophone, the idea of a bilingual emergency announcement will be objected to by the many Francophone/nationalist organizations on the Island. Their complaints on a Via Rail emergency in Ontario is ludicrous when compared to what happens in Montreal everyday.

VIA Rail's Goodwill Gesture Backfires

Photo: VIA Rail's short strike ruined many vacation plans.
Photograph by: DAVE SIDAWAY, THE GAZETTE, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

60% discount: Offer extended after deal-seekers crash website and ticket lines overflow

VIA Rail was still struggling to get back on track yesterday after a major promotion turned into a customer service nightmare for the company this week.

In an effort to redeem itself after a two-day strike disrupted service across Canada last weekend, VIA offered a 60-per-cent discount on regular-fare tickets countrywide. But the deal proved to be a little too popular, prompting a flood of bookings that overwhelmed the company's website and tied up its phone lines.

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Via Discounts Tickets As Trains Run Again

The destination board reads services 'on time' at Central Station in Montreal Sunday after the VIA Rail locomotive engineers strike had ended and regular services would resume later Sunday evening. Photograph by: Graham Hughes, The Gazette

From The CBC:

Via Rail said Monday its rail service should be back to normal following its two-day strike, and the company is now looking for ways to win back the hearts of its customers.

So far, the passenger service is offering discounts of 60 per cent to all its destinations. But travellers must buy their tickets by midnight Pacific time on Wednesday, and must take their trips by Dec. 14.

Federal Labour Minister Rona Ambrose said she has personally thanked both Via Rail and the engineers union for getting the trains moving again.

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Update: Strike's over: Via Rail back on track -- Montreal Gazette

Via Rail Trains To Resume Service Sunday

Via Rail's counters and tracks were empty at the Vancouver station Friday.
Photograph by: Ian Lindsay, Vancouver Sun

From The Montreal Gazette:

TORONTO — Via Rail will resume train service Sunday evening after the company said it reached an agreement with striking locomotive engineers.

In a statement released early Sunday, the Crown corporation said the two sides have agreed to enter into binding arbitration.

"The process proposed by the mediator will allow the parties to resolve outstanding issues and, most importantly, will get Canada's passenger rail service up and running again for our customers," said Via President Paul Cote.

Full service will be returned to most routes by Monday morning.

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More News On Via Rail Resuming Service

Via Rail strike ends -- CBC
Via Rail service to resume late Sunday -- Canadian Press
Via Rail Says Arbitration Deal Reached With Union Over Strike -- Bloomberg

Via Rail Set To Strike At Noon

A VIA train is seen on Toronto's Lakeshore line in this 2007 file photo.
Tannis Toohey/Toronto Star

From The Toronto Star:

Talks collapse, majority of trains cancelled.

Via Rail Canada has begun cancelling trains this morning, several hours ahead of a noon strike deadline set by locomotive engineers after talks between union representatives and the company broke down.

Early this morning, the company said unless a last-minute resolution is reached, it will be cancelling all trips at noon.

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Update #1: Talks collapse between Via, engineers as strike deadline approaches -- CTV

Update #2: Talks collapse between Via, engineers as strike deadline approaches -- Canadian Press

Looming Via Rail Strike Derails Vacation Plans

Via Rail has started canceling trains because locomotive engineers have indicated they will go on strike Friday at noon. Photograph by: Allen McInnis, The Gazette

Looming Via Strike Throws Off Vacation Plans -- Montreal Gazette

Via engineers set to walk tomorrow: More bad news for Montreal tourism.

A looming strike by Via Rail's locomotive engineers is throwing a wrench into Jennifer Baron's plans for a "babymoon" in Montreal.

Pregnant and due in October, the Torontonian and her husband were looking forward to one last pre-baby vacation, visiting family and friends and taking in Montreal's sites during Ontario's August long weekend.

When she heard Via was preparing to cancel all its trains beginning tomorrow, "we looked into flying but that's expensive and driving would take long because we have to stop a lot so I can stretch and whatnot," Baron said. They may cancel.

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Update: VIA Rail cancels routes as strike looms -- Globe And Mail

Update #2: Via Rail cancels trains as strike deadline looms -- Canada.com