Travel Advisory - An incident blocking tracks in Smiths Falls affecting VIA Rail trains on Montréal-Ottawa-Toronto route

MONTREAL, March 20, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - An incident involving a Canadian Pacific freight train is affecting the VIA Rail passenger trains operating on the Montréal-Ottawa-Toronto route, in both directions. Some ten VIA Rail trains are affected by this situation. For many customers, VIA will be replacing their scheduled train with a motorcoach service, at least for a portion of the trip. Passengers travelling on direct Montréal-Toronto trains (that do not go through Ottawa), in both directions, are not affected.

VIA Rail is making every effort to ensure that passengers reach their destination safely, and as comfortably as possible.

VIA Rail thanks its customers for their patience and understanding.  For more information, or to cancel or modify reservations, call toll-free 1-888-VIA-RAIL (1-888-842-7245) or 1-800-268-9503 (hearing-impaired). Follow VIA Rail Canada on Twitter @VIA_Rail or Facebook for updates.

Delays are expected through to the end of the day.  Service recovery measures such as travel credits will be offered to affected passengers.  According to the information available to VIA Rail, the cars involved in the incident were only carrying freight.

Affected passengers wishing to cancel or modify their reservations may do so, without charge, regardless of the type of fare paid.

About VIA Rail Canada

As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to provide safe, efficient and cost-effective passenger transportation in the country's two official languages. The Company operates intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking 450 communities across its 12,500-kilometre network. Recipient of the RAC's Safety Award in 2012 for the 11^th time in 12 years, and of the 2012 Agent's Choice Award voted on by Canadian travel agents and presented by Baxter Travel Media, VIA safely transports nearly four million passengers annually. Since 2007, the Government of Canada has provided VIA Rail with nearly one billion dollars in capital investment funding. Follow the evolution of current projects at viarail.ca/transformingvia.

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SOURCE: VIA Rail Canada Inc.

VIA Rail Media contact:
Mylène Bélanger
Senior Advisor, Media Relations
514 871-6137 | 1 877 393-8787
[email protected]