I can’t imagine commuting with Via Rail. As someone using Via once in a while, I don’t think it’s more expensive than it was. If anything sometimes you can get some accepable deals if you reserve a few weeks in advance. But it sure is absolutely overpriced of you are last minute. It’s $50 if I want to see my family tomorrow even if there are still seats in the train, but $25 if I plan the visit a week or two in advance.
It’s the whole problem with their pricing system. They don’t see themselves as a replacement for cars. You can’t get a monthly pass for Via. They see themselves as a tourist attraction.
And unlike other rich countries, we don’t even have regional trains. It could also help to have more than 5 trains a day. But again, they don’t want to be a commuter service.
Sometimes I wish Exo and GO trains would cover Via rail routes in their respective provinces. It would be so much more convenient for everyone. And with Alto eventually coming, will Via ever be improved?
It’s just what I’ve used most outside of Canada. But yeah, not just DB. We’re missing a lot of the “train culture” present in Germany and other rich countries, and that is reflected in local and political will.
Like, as much as there is also a thriving car culture in Germany, and the reputation of DB (also somewhat justified), there’s actually more than a handful of people that thinks having passenger trains in their towns and cities is a necessity. And there’s even actions taken to reopen some lines that were previously closed! YouTube is sometimes suggesting me videos of train route reactivation in Germany, and it’s incredible to see the will of the people to have a passenger train back in their villages, and the positive(!) comments.
Meanwhile in Canada any attempt at maintaining current rail service, let alone reviving passenger trains in smaller towns, or even cities, will be met with apathy by most people.