From: Some@Guy.com   
      
   Jem Berkes wrote:   
      
   > I'm surprised that it costs more for a train ticket in south-   
   > western Ontario (in my case, from Kitchener/Guelph towards   
   > Toronto) than it does to drive that distance as a single   
   > passenger in a car, including parking costs.   
      
   According to Google Maps, a trip from 126 WEBER ST. WEST, KITCHENER   
   (Via rail station in Kitchener) to Toronto Union Station is 107 km (66   
   miles) and would take 1 hr 32 minutes.  Assuming an average fuel   
   economy of 22 mpg, this would require 3 gallons of gas (11.3 liters).   
   Assuming 85 cents per liter, this would cost you $9.65.   
      
   According to Via Rail, this trip could be done by taking train 84   
   (departing 9:11 am) and then returning on train 89 (departing toronto   
   22:10).  The one-way fare (based on a round-trip ticket) would cost   
   $16.96 and take about 1 hour 32 minutes.   
      
   The cost difference is substantial (75% more expensive by train -   
   almost double).  If you drove, you would have $14.62 to use for   
   parking (which may or may not be enough depending on how long you are   
   staying).   
      
   > This is just insane.   
      
   Yes it is.  If anyone knows why via tickets are so expensive, please   
   tell.   
      
   Toronto is a terrible transportation hub.   
      
   Via rail connections in Toronto are terrible, and Via doesn't even   
   have a stop at Pearson airport.  Many people in SW Ontario (and even   
   some in Toronto) would use via to get to Pearson if there was a stop   
   under the new Terminal 1.  I've travelled in Netherlands and Germany   
   by rail (ICE) and have travelled to FRA and AMS by rail and the   
   experience was very efficient.  Even Heathrow is served by the tube.   
      
   Pearson also sucks as an air hub for flights within Ontario.   
      
   The Windsor - Montreal corridor is a slam dunk for a high-speed rail   
   service.  The population is there, the geography is flat, and the   
   distances are not  huge.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)