VIA Rail modifies the schedule of the Canadian between Toronto and Vancouver

MONTREAL, June 22, 2018/CNW Telbec/ - Effective July 26, 2018, the schedule of the Canadian, VIA Rail Canada's train, which travels between Toronto and Vancouver, will be modified for the remainder of the high season ending on October 11. This important mid-season modification was necessary in order to address significant and recurring delays in recent months, and provide passengers a more predictable route, both at departure and on arrival. This change also takes into account the opportunity for passengers to see the changing Canadian landscape during the daylight hours.

Since the beginning of peak season in April, the Canadian has been subject to major delays that eventually forced the exceptional cancellation of two trips in May. This situation confirmed the necessity for VIA Rail and CN, the owner of the infrastructure, to revise the schedule. In addition, CN has begun significant work to increase the capacity of its infrastructure in Western Canada, which will improve the flow of its freight and VIA Rail passenger trains. The introduction of the new schedule was also guided by the desire to ensure that the trains pass at the best time of day for travellers to appreciate the beauty of the landscape.

"We hope that with the new schedule, as well as the important infrastructure investments by our partner CN, our travellers will experience a more predictable service, both at departure and on arrival, and a better opportunity to appreciate the greatness and beauty of our country at daylight. We appreciate CN's support in improving the travel experience of thousands of Canadians and international tourists who, every summer, experience the trip of a lifetime by choosing to discover the vastness of Canada through a trip by rail. Just as importantly, this change will increase the reliability of schedules as sought by the various communities served along the route," declared Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, President and Chief Executive Officer at VIA Rail.

"We continue to work closely with VIA Rail to provide their passengers with a more predictable and reliable travel experience," said JJ Ruest, interim president and chief executive officer. "We are investing $400 million in new capacity on the busy corridors across Western Canada, used by VIA's Canadian and the many freight trains carrying goods vital to moving our nation's economy, to provide safe and efficient rail service."

The modified schedules will come into effect on July 26 for train #1 from Toronto and July 27 for train #2 from Vancouver. The number of weekly departures remains the same.

Westbound schedule (train #1) as of July 26 | Departs Tuesdays, Thursdays* and Saturdays
Departs Toronto: 10PM
Arrives in Winnipeg: 8AM / Departs at 10AM
Arrives in Saskatoon: 11:20PM
Arrives in Edmonton: 8:22AM / Departs at 9:37AM
Arrives in Jasper: 4PM / Departs at 7:30PM
Arrives in Vancouver: 6PM (instead of 9:42AM) + 4 days

Eastbound schedule (train #2) as of July 27 | Departs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays*
Departs Vancouver: 12PM
Arrives in Jasper: 8AM / Departs at 10AM
Arrives in Edmonton: 4:20PM / Departs at 5:19PM
Arrives in Saskatoon: 4:40AM
Arrives in Winnipeg: 7PM / Departs at 10:30PM
Arrives in Toronto: 2PM (instead of 9:30AM) + 4 days

* In high season only, from May to October

VIA Rail is in communication with the ticket holders for departures as of July 26^th. For more information, travellers are invited to contact a sales representative by phone, by dialing 1 888 VIA-RAIL (1 888 842-7245) or 1 800 268-9503 (TTY for deaf or hard of hearing).

About VIA Rail Canada                        

As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail (viarail.ca) and all its employees are mandated to provide safe, efficient and economical passenger transportation service, in both official languages of our country. VIA Rail operates intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking over 400 communities across Canada, and about 180 more communities through intermodal partnerships, and safely transports approximately 4.4 million passengers annually. The Corporation has been awarded five Safety Awards and three Environment Awards by the Railway Association of Canada since 2007. Visit the "About VIA Rail" section at: www.viarail.ca/fr/a-propos-de-via.

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SOURCE VIA Rail Canada Inc.