VIA Rail further reducing services during COVID-19 pandemic
Posted Mar 19, 2020 08:06:00 PM.
VIA Rail is offering fewer rides, no baggage service and no business lounges as the COVID-19 pandemic situation evolves.
In a statement released Thursday, the passenger rail service said it’s making changes due to a significant reduction in customers, as well as to follow the most recent recommendations of public health authorities across the country.
“These new measures we are announcing today are difficult, but the current situation is exceptional and calls for an exceptional response,” said Cynthia Garneau, president and chief executive officer of VIA Rail. “Protecting the health and safety of our passengers and employees continues to be our focus so we are adjusting our operations to ensure we minimize the propagation of COVID-19 when traveling with VIA Rail. As a public service, we do what we can to maintain some of our services in the best possible conditions for as long as possible to help facilitate travel along the Corridor and on regional routes.”
SERVICES CHANGES STARTING MONDAY, MARCH 23
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ROUTES |
SERVICES |
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Québec City-Montréal-Ottawa |
22*/28* and 33/39* |
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Montréal-Ottawa-Fallowfield |
33/39* and 22*/28 |
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Toronto-Kingston-Montréal |
64/68* and 63*/669* |
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Toronto-Kingston- Ottawa |
643*/59 and 52*/48 |
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Toronto- London-Windsor |
72*/78 and 71/75 |
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Toronto-London- Sarnia |
1 departure per day maintained in both directions (trains 87-84) |
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Senneterre-Jonquière |
One round trip per week |
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Sudbury-White River |
One round trip per week |
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Winnipeg-Churchill |
All trains are operating |
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The Ocean (Montréal-Halifax) |
Suspended until May 1st
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The Canadian (Toronto-Vancouver) |
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Prince Rupert-Prince George-Jasper |
* Some stops have been added on some trains.
This information is subject to change without notice.
ON BOARD
- Baggage service will no longer be available.
- The Business class will no longer be available in the Québec City-Windsor corridor.
- Sleeper Plus class will no longer be available on the Winnipeg-Churchill route.
- Seat selection will be flexible to allow passengers to travel in a more comfortable manner to follow the social distancing guidelines. Instructions will be provided once on board.
IN STATIONS
- VIA Rail’s Business lounges will be closed.
- Restaurants in VIA Rail owned stations will be closed and customers will only have access to vending machines where available.
FLEXIBILITY FOR PASSENGERS
- VIA Rail has extended its cancellation policy to include all travel through May 31, 2020. Passengers can cancel or modify their reservation at any time prior to departure and receive a full refund in addition to not incurring any service charges, regardless of when they purchased their ticket.
REMINDERS
Passengers showing symptoms similar to a cold or a flu (fever, cough, sore throat, breathing difficulties) are asked not to travel aboard VIA Rail.
If those symptoms develop on board, they are asked to immediately report it to one of our employees.
