Slightly odd experience yesterday on the train from London to Toronto. All smooth (and a packed train) until just outside Aldershot when we ground to a sudden halt. Lots of running about from the staff including checking out the back of the train. After a while we were advised there was a 'safety protocol' that we had to follow and there would be a delay - of at least an hour.
Someone on the train calls VIA Rail and were told that a train in front had run through a red light. The driver was not allowed to continue and it was awaiting replacement crew.
Shortly after staff on our train announced that WE were awaiting replacement crew - which led me to suspect that it was actually our train which had run the red light.
Eventually reached Toronto 2.5 hours late. Most frustrating was the lack of clear and regular communication from the crew, the vagueness of explanations from them, lack of updates as to revised arrival times and the poor compensation (50% of our ticket as a credit only valid for 6 months). One poor woman was in tears as she was going to miss her flight, couldn't afford a new one and VIA refused to compensate. Luckily some kind fellow passenger paid for a new flight for her.
Someone on the train calls VIA Rail and were told that a train in front had run through a red light. The driver was not allowed to continue and it was awaiting replacement crew.
Shortly after staff on our train announced that WE were awaiting replacement crew - which led me to suspect that it was actually our train which had run the red light.
Eventually reached Toronto 2.5 hours late. Most frustrating was the lack of clear and regular communication from the crew, the vagueness of explanations from them, lack of updates as to revised arrival times and the poor compensation (50% of our ticket as a credit only valid for 6 months). One poor woman was in tears as she was going to miss her flight, couldn't afford a new one and VIA refused to compensate. Luckily some kind fellow passenger paid for a new flight for her.
