Short-distance business class

[Tom Box [e-mail] [Canadian-Passenger-Rail]]

Until recently, VIA hasn't offered business class for short
trips, where there is not enough time for the meal service that
is a major feature of that class. I don't know exactly what
the cut-off time was, but it seemed to be about 1 h 30 min.
Business class has long been offered for Toronto - Trenton
or Toronto - Woodstock, for example.

Now VIA is offering business class for Toronto - Port Hope and
Toronto - Cobourg trips, which only take 1 h to 1 h 10 min.
I don't know when this began, but I believe it's quite new.
Reservia warns you "The full-service meal is not included [...]
Complimentary beverages and snacks will be offered."

Full fare for Toronto - Port Hope is $135.60. On some days,
there are discounted seats for $62.15. On other days, the
discounted fare is $70.06 or $90.40. I don't know who is the
target market. Certainly not I.

Business class is still not being offered for Toronto - Brantford,
Montreal - Drummondville or Montreal - Alexandria, though those
trips are of comparable duration to Toronto - Port Hope/Cobourg.

Tom Box
tbox at ncf dot ca
Port Hope, ON, Canada (still no Panorama Lounge in the station here)




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Posted by: Tom Box <tbox-***@public.gmane.org>
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