Thought of the Day - December 8 - Riding the Rails

The global pandemic put the spotlight on health and safety practices on board cruise ships ( Thought of the Day - November 17 - Test Accuracy ) and airplanes ( Thought of the Day - July 17 - The Plane Truth ), however, rail companies have for the most part been flying under the radar. But this begs a couple of questions.

First, is rail travel in a better position to rebound more quickly than other modes of transport? According to a recent global survey, rail travel will boom post-COVID-19, with tourists likely to favour destinations closer to home due to fears of flying. The survey also found that 48% of respondents are prioritizing reducing their environmental footprint now more than ever, which should benefit rail travel as it is perceived to be cleaner than air or ship.

Canada has three passenger rail companies VIA Rail (Federal), Rocky Mountaineer (private) and Ontario Northland (Provincial).

VIA runs the most popular corridor: Quebec-Montreal-Toronto- Windsor. And is known for its Trans-Canada route as well as the route north to Churchill. They also still operate one route to the Maritimes. But did you know that for some reason they also go to places like Senneterre and White River?

Rocky Mountaineer, with its western Canadian routes, is now expanding into the US. "Bringing its train journeys to the American Southwest for a standalone U.S. adventure. For two days, passengers aboard the new ‘Rockies To The Red Rocks’ route will ride from Denver to Moab, Utah, with an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The train will voyage along the Colorado River, passing through steep rock canyons and breathtaking desert scenes along the way. Like the existing Canadian routes, Rocky Mountaineer’s U.S. option will offer passengers a similar onboard experience, including thoughtfully-prepared regional cuisine, entertaining and educational storytelling, the kind of jaw-dropping scenery usually reserved for the most intrepid backpackers, and high-end, attentive service in their custom-designed glass-dome coaches." - where do I sign!

Unfortunately at the moment, the future of the Ontario Northern Polar Bear route to Moosonee is unclear.

But in the meantime, what about safety? Due to the lack of attention, there has not been a lot mandated by Transport Canada in the long-haul rail segment. However, VIA and Rocky Mountaineer have still been somewhat proactive.

Specifically, Rocky Mountaineer boasts:

• QUICK AND SEAMLESS CHECK-IN: Our online check-in process will get you on board as quickly as possible (better than cruise ships and airlines).

• PRE-TRAVEL SCREENING: We will ask you questions about your health and recent travels, and will take your temperature prior to boarding the train each day (useless).

• SAFE PERSONAL SPACE: We will meet all physical distancing guidelines at time of travel to ensure a safe personal space. Please pack and wear a protective face covering, such as a non-medical face mask, for when two- metre distance between your travel group and others is not possible (marginal).

• TRAVEL WITH THE SAME GROUP: You will be travelling with the same group of guests for all transfers to and from the train (good).

• AIR FILTRATION SYSTEM: There will be a constant intake and circulation of fresh air with filters that capture 99.9% of airborne particles (good).

• PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS: Soap, fresh water and hand sanitizer will be readily available in your coach (marginal).

• PERSONAL USE ITEMS: We have replaced communal use items, such as condiments and menus, with personal use items (good).

• ELECTROSTATIC DISINFECTANT SPRAY: At the start and end of each travel day, our train interiors will be thoroughly sanitized using an electrostatic disinfectant sprayer (these are just more rapid than proper cleaning).

• THOROUGH SANITIZATION (sic): Your train seat and tray table will be sanitized at the start of each day. All high-touch and common areas will be disinfected throughout the day (good).

VIA Rail states:

• STRESS-FREE BOOKING: you can cancel your reservation at any time prior to departure. You’ll receive a full refund and incur zero service charges, regardless of when you purchased your ticket (good for your mental health).

• LIMITED BOOKINGS: Limiting the number of seats that we sell on most of our trains. Your seat will therefore be assigned only as you board, and not when you book. If there’s a seat number indicated on your boarding pass, please ignore it (really).

• MASKS MANDATORY: All passengers will be required to wear a mask or face covering at all times. The mask may be temporarily removed for eating or drinking. Masks are now mandatory for all employees at all times on trains and in-station. Please note that, boarding will be denied to passengers not wearing a mask, and passengers will be detrained (sic) if they refuse to wear a mask during the trip. Masks allowed: Medical masks, Non-medical mask that are: made with multiple layers of tightly woven material (e.g., cotton or linen); large enough to cover your nose, your mouth and your chin completely, without gaps; secured to the face with ties or ear loops (awesome, best I have seen).

• SANITATION: Thorough cleaning and disinfection of stations and of all hard surfaces on board (washrooms, tray tables, armrests, doors, etc.). Stricter protocols for high-contact areas: door handles, handrails, washrooms, etc. Distribution of hand sanitizers at key points of contact (okay).

• BAGGAGE SERVICES: Our usual carry-on baggage assistance service is only offered for passengers with disabilities and/or limited mobility (good).

• HEALTH CHECKS: Our employees conduct a health check before passengers are permitted to board our trains. This mainly involves asking simple health questions and looking for visible signs of illness prior to boarding (at least they don't waste time face-time with temperature checks).

I understand train travel is doing well across Europe both for communing as well as leisure. Maybe there will be a resurgence in Canada also.

Cheers

Cliff