VIA Rail Canada waives change fees for passengers affected by H1N1

MONTREAL, Nov. 13 /CNW Telbec/ - VIA Rail Canada announced today that until further notice, it will waive any change fees for passengers directly affected by H1N1 who wish to delay their travel for up to six months.

This policy applies to anyone who is affected by H1N1 and is scheduled to travel within a 14-day window.

Passengers must advise VIA of their intention not to travel prior to their scheduled departure in order to benefit from this policy. Rebooking and travel must take place within six months of originally intended travel. VIA will honour the original fare.

VIA encourages passengers who are experiencing flu-like symptoms to avoid travelling by public transportation until they fully recover. Passengers affected by H1N1 who wish to take advantage of this temporary policy change must modify their travel plans by phone only by calling VIA toll-free at 1-888-VIA-RAIL (TTY 800-268-9503 for the hearing-impaired). (These changes cannot be made on VIA's Web site.)

For up-to-date information on this policy and more information about H1N1, customers may visit viarail.ca. Complete up-to-date H1N1 information from the Public Health Agency of Canada is available at fightflu.ca.

VIA will continue to monitor the situation and revise its policy as required.

For further information: Catherine Kaloutsky, VIA Rail Canada, (647) 228-1127, Catherine_Kaloutsky@viarail.ca; Elizabeth Huart, VIA Rail Canada, (514) 871-6119, Elizabeth_Huart@viarail.ca