yedlin: via rail operations remain stuck in the past

For many, the prospect of train travel is reminiscent of a relaxed, civilized experience.
But, as I have experienced recently, the images were challenged when I traveled from the old Union Station in Toronto by National Rail Canada.
Stations that need to be updated for a long time remind people of sand pits, lack of natural light or channel mode to accommodate those who are not too flexible or physically strong;
It is not obvious that the elevator sends passengers from the boarding line to the track.
Then the boarding experience.
Recently, Via Rail has decided that it needs to weigh the luggage on board.
Extra charge for any single over 40 pounds
To be safe, they say.
But it makes no sense.
Unlike aircraft that need to carefully calculate weight and balance, train travel does not follow the same logic.
If you see huge luggage loaded on European trains weighing to make sure they are safe, raise your hand.
The only possible explanation is that, under the contract, there is a limit on how much weight railway employees can lift.
If so, it\'s about worker safety-fair-not passenger safety.
What prevents passengers from figuring out how to redistribute extra weight in items they carry with them
One or two, and then when they get on the train, put everything back in the offending bag.
To illustrate Via\'s outdated approach and how they can easily get an extra $20, this example is: passengers are willing to pay an extra $20 assuming the package is determined to be overweight.
The staff handling the luggage have wireless, point-to-pointof-
Processing the sales terminal of the transaction number.
Passengers have to pay at another counter, and heavy bags are dragged together.
Not efficient.
Airlines have opinionsof-
Sales terminals 35,000 feet, but not.
This method continues on the train.
If you want to buy something on board, you can choose cash or credit and use a manual machine to process the transaction.
For people of a certain age, this is reminiscent of those Chargex ads in early 1970.
When it comes to cash, who needs a headache, not to mention the risk or administrative costs of floating deposits disappearing. The airline has reason not to use the cash on board.
Via\'s app is a modern exception, and it\'s actually very good, according to a millennium.
However, the same Millennium wanted to know why he could not use it to pay for the ship.
Via Rail employees are also frustrated with outdated methods of operation.
I talked about a person in charge of my recent experience saying that employees also don\'t encourage companies to lag behind in automating processes and procedures.
Rail is and should be a viable travel option for Canadians.
It is less stressful than flying and is a great way to get cars out of crowded roads and reduce their carbon footprint.
By hyping the data on its website.
This is one of the reasons why it should be considered one of the areas of investment in Alberta\'s road infrastructure-connecting Calgary and Edmonton to create an economic powerhouse, it also reduces the risk of traveling on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway.
It must also be a reliable and enjoyable experience.
Via is not aware of the importance of the brand, nor is it aware of what it means to develop, market and nurture the brand.
It is not enough to be the only regular planning option for rail travel in the country.
It should be noted here that you cannot leave Calgary on a regularly scheduled train-only Edmonton --
But this is another day\'s column.
It also seems to have missed the memo that is going on in the automation revolution.
The internet of things is changing the way business works.
It\'s all about finding efficiency, increasing profits by using technology, or providing better services to customers, or collecting data to improve efficiency.
Hunter Harrison, former ceo of CP Rail, is about to apply his approach to improve profitability and efficiency at CSX or other Rail companies.
He should stop at VIA to give some advice on what they need to do to improve customer service, efficiency and ultimately passengers.
Passing the rail should be part of Canada\'s transport infrastructure and network-but it needs to be re-establishedboot.
Like Air Canada and CN Rail, they used to be Royal and are now successful publicly traded entities, and now is the time to privatize VIA and save it from the dark ages
Deborah Yedlin is a columnist for the Calgary Herald @ postmedia.