(VIA Rail issued the following news release on November 26.)
MONTREAL — If you have already made plans to travel by rail for the holiday season and have yet to book your trip, VIA suggests that you purchase your tickets as soon as possible. VIA plans to put in service all equipment available during the season’s peak demand.
VIA expects some popular train departures to be sold out quickly and suggests customers book early to avoid disappointment. “Traditionally, this is our busiest time of the year,” said Steve Del Bosco, Vice-President Marketingof VIA Rail Canada. “This year again, everybody at VIA will work together to ensure our customers holiday travel plans run smoothly.” VIA’s three telephone reservation offices in Toronto, Montreal and Moncton are already getting busier.
VIA Rail Canada announced earlier this month it is trimming 5% on its Windsor-Québec City Corridor fares when passengers book through its http://www.viarail.ca website. This web promotion is available on all bookings made until November 30, 2003 for travel between November 1, 2003 and January 4,2004. Further savings are also available for passengers travelling between Montreal and Halifax on the Ocean and between Montreal and The Gaspé on the Chaleur. Until November 30, 2003, VIA offers a 50% discount on its Easterly and Comfort classes for trips taken between November 3 to December 19,2003 and from January 4 to February 29, 2004 (Tickets must be purchased atleast 5 days in advance and other restriction may apply).
VIA monitors ticket sales carefully so it can assign and cycle passenger cars to meet demand. Every available piece of equipment will be pressed into service to cover the expected increased holiday traffic. VIA is prepared tomeet the heavy demand between the Maritimes and the Windsor/Québec City corridor. Extra trains will also run between Toronto and Montreal. It should also be noted that there are numerous train service exceptions (cancellations, alternate schedules, etc. ) for the holiday period, which runs from December 15th to January 6th.
Passengers picking up tickets in major stations should leave plenty of timeprior to their train departure, as ticket line-ups are longer than normal.Customers who want more information may call 1-888-VIA-RAIL or contact their travel agent.
VIA Rail Canada is the national passenger rail service, connecting some 450communities from coast to coast. Demand for VIA’s rapid intercity servicesin the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor has grown in recent years, as more Canadians turn to train travel as a hassle-free and cost-efficient alternativeto congested roads and airports.