Sign of the Times and update on VIA RAIL's Billion Dollar Transformation

More changes at VIA, at least in Alexandria Ont. The ticket-agent quit a few weeks ago and VIA hasn’t hired a new one. So instead of a smiling agent the customer is now greeted by a piece of plywood telling it to call an 800 number (Gare Alexandria in French sounds like a warning too.. it can be a scary place.) Meanwhile the high-tech baggage scale that appeared back in late 2012 to ensure that passengers weren’t taking oversized bags onto the train is now being used as a magazine rack. Alexandria is a bedroom community of both Ottawa and Montreal and didn’t really require a scale, most people travel with just a toothbrush and a computer, not a refrigerator (unless you’re Mike Duffy).. or 2 limos (like the PM took to India..what’s wrong with an elephant?) I suppose VIA blew its Alexandria budget on the scale and now can’t afford an agent.

hello wall

Go to the VIA page and click to see VIA’s billion dollar upgrade. VIA’s $10000000000. transformation Read all about the new station in Windsor (not Windsor Station, as far as I know that’s still in Montreal) or the glass-covered foot bridges in Oshawa and Belleville..no mention though of the plywood over what used to be the ticket-wicket in Alexandria, and the billion dollar scale that doubles as a magazine rack. I hate to harp on but not all VIA passengers are created equal.

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