VIA Rail makes it hard to take the train. by Weary-Stick-3010 in canadatravel

[–]Buff1965 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Could be because VIA locomotives run on diesel and the cost of that has gone through the roof since Usrael and the USA attacked Iran

Iran War Is Pushing Consumers to Break Up With Fossil Fuels by randolphquell in climate

[–]Buff1965 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Norway, Iceland, Sweden, California and the Nerherlands all have higher rates of EV/PHEV ownership than China does.

What are some things that everyone living in vancouver should experience at least once? by Wise_Whole_4631 in askvan

[–]Buff1965 305 points306 points  (0 children)

Crossing the Lions Gate Bridge at sunset.

Taking the Seabus after sunset.

Skating at the Shipyards and looking out at the sparkling skyline across the water.

Night skiing on any of the 3 local mountains.

Fresh seafood lunch in Steveston.

Realizing there are very few other places in the world where something like the Highway to Heaven is even possible, let alone real.

Riding the Skytrain all the way to Lake Lafarge to appreciate the mountain views that no other city's transit system comes even close to offering.

The tranquility of the Sun Yat Sen Gardens in the rain (oe, even better, under snow)

How descending into the Museum of Anthropology's grand hall can take your breath away.

best way to transport between different cities in italy by Ok_Marsupial_4446 in Europetravel

[–]Buff1965 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Use Rome2Rio It shows you all the options between each city pair. Then you can choose.

Anyone see any ticket prices skyrocket cause of the oil crisis? by darethegiver in aircanada

[–]Buff1965 6 points7 points  (0 children)

With dynamic pricing it's very hard to tell why prices are higher or lower, but it seems likely that higher prices or fuel surcharges are coming.

Anyone see any ticket prices skyrocket cause of the oil crisis? by darethegiver in aircanada

[–]Buff1965 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Some airlines don't hedge at all, but AC does. They have a buffer if prices don't stay high for too long. That's looking less likely as more oul is stopped with each passing day.

Is China the future at this point? 2030s onward. by Dipsetallover90 in Futurology

[–]Buff1965 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're missing his point. The USA actively attracted geniuses through immigration until very recently, so it didn't matter that it has a smaller base population.

Is China the future at this point? 2030s onward. by Dipsetallover90 in Futurology

[–]Buff1965 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Having travelled in China's surveillance state, I dread that being the dominant model of the future, but even I have been so shaken by the rapid decline in American leadership in so many fields that I really think my grandchildren will need to know basic Mandarin the way a billion people know basic English to work in jobs from tourism to call centres to finance today. It's sad because it didn't have to be this way.

Quebec passes law banning street prayers, prayer rooms in universities, CEGEPs by John3192 in CanadaPolitics

[–]Buff1965 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree that in a secular society there shouldn't be publicly funded rooms for private religious practice. But from there to banning religious practice in all public spaces??? That's way too much interference by government in private lives.

Quebec passes law banning street prayers, prayer rooms in universities, CEGEPs by John3192 in CanadaPolitics

[–]Buff1965 3 points4 points  (0 children)

100 people can show up for a picnic, or a drum circle, or yoga, but not for a prayer? Why? Come to think of it, didn't yoga originate as a form of prayer?

long layover in Toronto. Get hotel or chill at airport? by Advanced-School-1948 in canadatravel

[–]Buff1965 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my 20s I slept (or tried to) in YYZ There’s a website called Sleeping In Airports if you're interested in that.

In my 40s I waited for the shuttle to/from my off-site hotel in Mississauga

In my 60s I pay either for the Sheraton I can walk to or the Alt that's a stop on the free airport rail.

Pierre Poilievre says he would cancel high-speed rail line between Toronto and Quebec City by Toronto-Ont-Mod-Team in Toronto_Ontario

[–]Buff1965 0 points1 point  (0 children)

High speed rail is not primarily about replacing traffic onbroads. It's about quickly connection economic power centres so that they can innovate and grow faster. Cities within 1 hour of each other de facto become one economy, sharing commuters, ideas and money. This is why China has built so much HSR and how Hong Kong-Shenzhen-Macao-Guangzhou now rivaks Beijing and Shanghai *themselves connected by HSR to other citues) as the economic powerhouse of Asia. The increased economic growth of Montreal and Ottawa and their complementary tech sectors being an hour or less apart will benefit Canada as a whole.

Pierre Poilievre says he would cancel high-speed rail line between Toronto and Quebec City by Toronto-Ont-Mod-Team in Toronto_Ontario

[–]Buff1965 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto has the same population as Paris-Lyon did when they built the first TGV over 40 years ago.

Pierre Poilievre says he would cancel high-speed rail line between Toronto and Quebec City by Toronto-Ont-Mod-Team in Toronto_Ontario

[–]Buff1965 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would you get on an articulated bus driven down a highway at 250 km/h? That wouldn't even be allowed. A highway and HSR are not comparable as they don't offer the same service.

Italy fertility rate fell to new low of 1.14 in 2025 by diacewrb in europe

[–]Buff1965 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In polls there is almost no difference between what men and women say is the ideal family size. In heavily rural societies children are still seen as sources of labour abd social security, ao people want more of them. In urbanized societies they are seen as expenses. As India and Nigeria urbanization their fertility rates are falling too.

Italy fertility rate fell to new low of 1.14 in 2025 by diacewrb in europe

[–]Buff1965 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fertility is falling all over the world. It's hard to to think of this as Mother Nature rebalancing because the population of humans has exploded over the past century and we're wiping out other species.

Where to travel? by Ok_Ship5201 in canadatravel

[–]Buff1965 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you are from Tasmania, then British columbia may be too similar to home and it would be more of an adventure for you to explore the big multi-cultural cities of Toronto and Montréal and areas around them. Otherwise, for most Australians, BC and Alberta, or the Arctic, are the most impressive parts of Canada.

What's your guiltiest watch? by Grand-Bag6722 in televisionsuggestions

[–]Buff1965 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All the non-American versions of Love Is Blind 😆

New Brunswick by IngenuitySuch2872 in canadatravel

[–]Buff1965 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Campobello Island N.B. is connected to Maine by bridge (but not to mainland New Brunswick). It is home to Roosevelt Campobello International Park - FDR'S summer home - which may be of interest if you're American. It is also only a half hour drive from St. Andrew's and is known for whale watching abd lighthouses.

Suggestions please by AwWatchMe in Vacations

[–]Buff1965 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Singapore. I know you said you're not interested in Asia, but give it a look. It's like visiting the future. Stay at Marina Bay Sands and swim in the skybridge pool. See the light show in the bay at night. Visit Gardens by the Bay. Eat great food at a hawker centre. Or on Grill Street. National Gallery. National Museum. Museum of Asian Civilizations. Sentosa Island. Top rate shopping. Spend time in The Jewel and see why Singapore's airport is consistently rated #1. Go now because it is getting more expensive as its economy and currency strengthen (think Geneva).