Richard Cannings on Questions on the Order Paper

With regard to bicycles on VIA Rail trains: (a) what is the rationale behind the decision to not allow non-folding bicycles on VIA Rail trains as carry-on luggage when golf bags, hockey bags, skis, snowboards and paddleboards are allowed as carry-on luggage; (b) what is the rationale behind the decision to allow bicycles as checked baggage only on trains running on the Toronto–Vancouver, Montreal–Halifax, Sudbury–White River, Senneterre, Jonquière, Winnipeg–Churchill and Jasper–Prince Rupert routes, and only on those with a baggage car; (c) what is the rationale behind the decision to charge a $25 fee for checking as baggage a bicycle, electric bicycle, folding bicycle, child bicycle trailer, recumbent bicycle or a tandem bicycle when golf bags, snowboards, skis, skateboards, surfboards and paddleboards are free; (d) how do VIA Rail’s bicycle handling policies compare to those of railroads in France, the United States, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand; and (e) when will VIA Rail change its current policy on bicycles?