VIA Rail Canada making it simpler and cheaper to travel this summer!

MONTREAL, June 20, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - VIA Rail Canada (viarail.ca) announced today the launch of a new, simplified pricing structure which combines flexibility and an enhanced shopping experience. VIA Rail is pursuing its strategy of offering a range of fare and class options to suit any budget, in order to continue to attract new clients and stimulate train travel.

"Simplifying our fare plan to five price points is just one part of our strategy to facilitate the ticket-buying process and make choosing the most suitable fare easier for our customers. Customers have responded positively to the promotional strategies we have implemented over the past year, with a resulting increased traffic and improvement to our bottom line. We intend to continue on this track", said Sylvie Bourget, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at VIA Rail Canada. "Our Summer Celebration seat sale is on right now, offering very attractive prices for family summer holidays across all regions of Canada for as little as $22 in Economy class and $55 in Business class across the Québec City-Windsor corridor. It's a fantastic opportunity to park your cars and discover relaxing travels on VIA Rail!"

From now on, preferential rates will be available right up to the day of departure and the respective features of Economy Class and Business Class will be clearly presented, facilitating the choice of between the five rate classes available: ESCAPE, ECONOMY, ECONOMY PLUS, BUSINESS, and BUSINESS PLUS. Fares vary based on the exchange and refund conditions, the privileges offered pre-boarding and the services offered on-board, including meal and beverage services, access to Business Class lounges, access to priority boarding and a priority ticketing line.

Available on the web, through the telephone sales office or at VIA Rail's stations, the best fares are available to all travellers, now more easily than ever before. For more information, please visit VIA Rail's website at viarail.ca.

About VIA Rail Canada
As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to provide safe, efficient and economical passenger transportation service, in both official languages of our country. VIA operates intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking 450 communities across its 12,500-kilometre route network, and safely transports nearly four million passengers annually. The Corporation was awarded seven Safety Awards by the Railway Association of Canada over the last eight years, and is recipient of the 2012 Agent's Choice Award voted by Canadian travel agents and presented by Baxter Travel Media. Since 2007, the Government of Canada has invested almost a billion dollars in VIA Rail. Follow the progress of our transformation at viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail/capital-investment.

Follow us on our Evolution Blog at viaevolution.ca, on Twitter @VIA_rail and on Facebook.

SOURCE: VIA Rail Canada Inc.

For further information:

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