VIA Rail: New stops - New departures - Passengers first

More connections between Québec City and Ottawa
New peak-hour stops in Saint-Hyacinthe
Increased capacity in the Québec City-Windsor corridor

MONTRÉAL, May 18, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - After posting record results last summer, VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) expects an even busier 2017 season. Preliminary reservation data shows many Canadians will be taking the train to celebrate Canada's 150^th anniversary. VIA Rail's preparations for the summer season included increasing capacity on the trains most in demand and adding direct connections between Ottawa and Québec City, as well as new stops in Saint-Hyacinthe during peak hours.

"Our efforts are focused on offering a service that meets the needs expressed by our customers, so that more people choose to take the train. Over the next few months, VIA Rail expects to see a 5% overall increase in the number of available seats per mile compared to the summer of 2016. For Canada's 150^th anniversary, we invite all those wishing to participate in the festivities to get on board our trains- it's the best way to see Canada," said Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, President and Chief Executive Officer of VIA Rail.

OTTAWA – MONTREAL – QUEBEC CITY
Starting May 29, the number of direct connections on the popular Québec City – Montréal – Ottawa route will increase once again this year. A new Sunday afternoon departure in both directions will be added to the schedule, offering another option for those wishing to return home at the end of the weekend. A daily direct connection to Québec City will also be added to the schedule.

Additional stops in Saint-Hyacinthe
VIA Rail has listened to its passengers and added two more stops at Saint-Hyacinthe station during peak hours starting May 29. Passengers will now have a choice of three trains heading to Montréal and then on to Ottawa: 07:58*am, 11:09am and 8:20pm. Trains bound for Québec City will leave the station at 7:00am, 9:43am (on weekends), 1:33pm, 5:29*pm and 7:16pm.

A new look on board
These improvements are complemented by a style change for front-line employees, who began wearing brand-new accessories a few days ago. VIA Rail developed a new style for its accessories, in line with its updated, dynamic brand image, that features bright colours to make employees more visible to passengers needing assistance.

About VIA Rail Canada
As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail (viarail.ca) and its 2,600 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 nearly four million passengers annually. The Corporation was awarded seven Safety Awards by the Railway Association of Canada over the last eight years. For more information, visit: www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail.

* New stops

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SOURCE VIA Rail Canada Inc.

CONTACT: Mariam Diaby, Media Relations, VIA Rail Canada, 1 877 393-8787, mariam_diaby@viarail.ca | media@viarail.ca