Compare the train with the car and the plane

More and more travellers are choosing VIA Rail as their principal means of transportation for business and recreational trips. Why? Because the train saves time and money.Travellers also turn to VIA as an alternative means of travel that is environmentally-friendly.

Why waste productive time travelling by plane or by car? VIA Rail offers an efficient and economical solution.

Compare the train to other means of transportation and you be the judge!

Total travel time vs productive travel time/ Toronto - Montréal

train
Average travel time in train: 5 h 08 min
Productive time in train: 5 h 08 min
airplane
Average travel time in plane: 1 h 15 min (in air) + 2 h (travel time to/from airports, security, lineups) = 3 h 15 min
Productive time in plane: 1 h 15 min
car 541 km* in car
Total travel time in car: 5 h + 30 min for traffic = 5 h 30 min
Productive time in car: 0 h 00 min
*Car distance and trip time based on one-way trip according to Google Maps.

Help reduce air pollution and GHG emissions by choosing VIA!

The train offers a clear advantage over the car and plane.

Emissions CO2 / Toronto - Montréal > 541 KM

train
14.76 kg/seat
car
33.88 kg/seat
airplane
83 kg

Plane average travel time = average in air time (based on Air Canada) + 2 hours (travel time to/from airports, security, lineups).


Car total travel time = Time based on one-way trip according to Google Maps + 30 min for traffic.


Train emissions calculator
The formula used to calculate train related data emissions is: (Litres of diesel fuel consumed X Emission Factor) / average of seats available on the selected route = Kg of CO2 equivalent per seat. The emission factor of 3.00715 Kg of CO2 equivalent per Liter of diesel No. 2 was used. The fuel consumption for each selected route was calculated using an average of real-time fuel consumption as measured by the Witronix technology over a 12-month period. The emission factor for diesel No. 2 is calculated by Environment Canada as part of its National Inventory Report (2011 submission) and takes into consideration the global warming potential of CO2, CH4 and N2O.


Flight emissions calculator
Number from Zerofootprint Flight emission calcultor for AirCanada used: https://aircanada.zerofootprint.net/portal/carbon/OffsetFlight This link open a window.


Car emissions calculator
For the calculations, a mid-size sedan with a combined fuel consumption rate of 10.0 Liters per 100 km was used, considering an average capacity of 4 passengers per vehicle. The distances are calculated in Kilometers using Google Maps. The formula used to calculate car related data emissions is: (Litres of gasoline consumed X Emission Factor) / average # of seats = Kg of CO2 equivalent per seat. The emission factor of 2.500 Kg of CO2 equivalent per Liter of gasoline (Tier 0) was used. The fuel consumption rate for a mid-size vehicle is an average calculated for mid-size type vehicles from the 2013 Fuel Consumption Guide developed by Natural Resources Canada. The emission factor for gasoline is calculated by Environment Canada as part of its National Inventory Report (2011 submission) and takes into consideration the global warming potential of CO2, CH4 and N2O.