An upcoming update to Via Rail's fare options is causing anger among Canadians.
In a notice on its website on Monday, Canadian rail alerted customers to changes to its baggage and fare policies.
According to Via Rail, seat selection for the cheapest train ticket, “Escape,” will cost an additional $7 starting June 10.
Some Canadians expressed their displeasure at this additional fee on X.
They just can't understand that trains are not airplanes! If you're going to compete, you have to differentiate yourself, not copy!
— Iain Montgomery ❌ (@iain_monty), June 3, 2024
“As someone who has spent tens of thousands of dollars and taken hundreds of trips with them, they really do go out of their way to make rail travel as inconvenient as possible,” user @ryanphanna posted on Monday.
It's already really expensive. I'd like to get the Rocky Mountaineer or something like that, but it's already prohibitively expensive.
— Rupprecht Mangels (@DisposablEnsign) June 4, 2024
The post was viewed over 15,000 times, and dozens of dissatisfied customers expressed similar sentiments in the replies.
“They just don't understand that trains are not planes! Competition can only be won by differentiation, not copying!” one person commented.
Another X user is worried that the additional ViaRail fees will never end.
“Next up are fees for forward or rear facing seats, baggage, laptop bag fees and toilet fees. Might as well fly lol,” the post reads.
It's fun to sit on outdated trains and use other companies' tracks. Then they decide to charge for seats. Next they charge for forward-facing or rear-facing seats, luggage, laptop bag fees, toilet fees. You might as well fly, lol.
— Adrian (@nightdude72), June 4, 2024
If you want a seat selection included, the standard selection is included in the fare for the Economy, Economy Plus, Business or Business Plus options of the train, of course with a higher-priced ticket.
The update also includes new rules for hand baggage and baggage allowance, depending on whether you are taking a long-distance or scheduled train journey.
Via Rail states that these changes apply to all journeys booked or changed on or after June 10.
VIA was asked for comment on customer frustration.
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