Take the Train - Bring your Bike!



    Avoid Soaring Gas prices this Summer with the Bike Train

    TORONTO, June 27 /CNW/ - When you take the Toronto-Niagara Bike Train
this summer, you will save on gas, protect the environment and have fun too!
    Launched in the summer of 2007, the award-winning Bike Train introduced
bike racks on board select VIA Rail departures between Toronto and Niagara
Falls, allowing passengers to explore the Greenbelt and the many scenic trails
of Niagara and Toronto. Round-trip tickets for the Bike Train cost $59
including taxes and bike transport fees.
    The Bike Train is a multi-modal service that encourages low impact
tourism and healthy and active lifestyles. Thanks to overwhelmingly positive
support, last year's pilot project was a resounding success. And with three
times as many departures scheduled for 2008, this year's edition will keep all
types of cyclists pedalling well into September.

    
    For 2008, the Bike Train service schedule has been expanded:

    -   27 round-trip departures between Toronto and Niagara Falls from June
        to September
    -   A St. Catharines stop has been added for a limited number of Niagara-
        bound passengers
    -   Organizers anticipate more than 500 cyclists will travel on the Bike
        Train this summer
    -   Bike racks installed on board a baggage car provide transport for
        56 bikes per departure
    

    QUOTES

    "The Bike Train is a fantastic program. I encourage everyone to use
sustainable transportation, like biking and trains, as much as possible. It's
good for climate change and reduces your carbon footprint," said Ontario
Environment Minister John Gerretsen.
    "It's new ideas like the Bike Train that will keep Ontario's Greenbelt
green," says Burkhard Mausberg, President, Friends of the Greenbelt
Foundation. "By taking the train and your bike you can experience the bounty
of the world's largest Greenbelt and protect it at the same time."

    QUICK FACTS

    
    -   Train travel produces 50% fewer emissions than travel by private
        vehicle.
    -   The Toronto-Niagara Bike Train is The Greenbelt Express - a
        sustainable transportation option to exploring the bounty and
        biodiversity of the Greenbelt in Niagara.
    -   Bicycling in Niagara is generally flat and easy, except for areas
        around the Escarpment where a climb can be up to 100 metres.
    -   The 140km Greater Niagara Circle Route offers multi-day bicycle
        touring in Niagara along well signed, mostly off-road and paved
        recreational trails.
    -   Toronto has more than 1000kms of bicycle lanes, shared roadways and
        off road paths.
    

    ABOUT THE BIKE TRAIN INITIATIVE

    The Bike Train Initiative is a project of Transportation Options and is
funded by the Government of Ontario and the Friends of the Greenbelt
Foundation. The initiative is also supported by the City of Toronto,
Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce and Visitors & Convention Bureau,
Waterfront Regeneration Trust, VIA Rail Canada, Metrolinx, Mountain Equipment
Co-op, Tourism Niagara, Tourism Toronto, Pedal Magazine, Ontario Tourism
Marketing Partnership, Regional Niagara Bicycling Committee, Niagara
Freewheelers Bicycle Touring Club, and by more than 20 organizations and
businesses. For more information please visit www.biketrain.ca.

For further information: 

For further information: Justin Lafontaine, Project Lead and Founder,
Office: (416) 392-1556, Mobile: (416) 712-8819, Email: jlafont@toronto.ca;
Ashley Doyle, Corporate Communications, VIA Rail Canada, Office: (416)
956-7613, Email: ashley_doyle@viarail.ca

Organization Profile

VIA Rail Canada Inc.

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