VIA Rail expands its network through Maritime Bus

HALIFAX, June 21, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Maritime Bus and VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) announced today that they are enhancing their partnership and simplifying the travel experience in Eastern Canada. Starting July 14, 2016, travellers will be able to purchase Maritime Bus tickets online at viarail.ca.

This intermodal sales agreement will expand VIA Rail's network. In one single transaction, travellers will be able to book a trip to the many destinations offered by Maritime Bus either as a connecting trip with the Ocean train between Montréal and Halifax or simply using VIA Rail website for a Maritime Bus trip only. VIA Rail's passengers will be able to easily plan a trip between Montréal and Charlottetown, Prince-Edward-Island; or Saint John, New-Brunswick; or Sydney, Nova Scotia. Passengers will be able to book their tickets online at viarail.ca and receive a combined itinerary including a Maritime Bus ticket and a VIA Rail boarding pass. 

Maritime Bus believes transportation companies have a responsibility to connect communities and allow the travelling public access to cost effective sustainable travel options. "Being able to partner with VIA Rail shows how both companies understand the importance of working together", reflects Mike Cassidy, President of Maritime Bus. "Having two competing transportation services willing to share train and bus infrastructure for the benefit of their passengers shows total commitment to the marketplace. We are proud of this new Intermodal Partnership which has the Maritime Region at heart."

"Providing a simple and seamless travel experience is what will encourage people to leave their car behind and travel with Maritime Bus and VIA Rail. This agreement is part of our strategy aimed at increasing the mobility of Canadians while reducing their carbon footprint", said Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, President and CEO of VIA Rail. "By making travel on an integrated network of carriers more convenient and attractive, this initiative will help residents from communities across the Maritimes to travel within the region and beyond by connecting to the Ocean train for a trip to Montréal. It also encourages all Canadians to discover the beauty of the Eastern provinces."

"Over the past months, VIA Rail has made preparations to receive many passengers onboard the Ocean train during the summer, a peak period for train travel between Montréal and Halifax", added Susan Williams, General Manager, Eastern Canada, at VIA Rail. "Thanks to the integration of Maritime Bus' and VIA Rail's networks, we are glad to offer our passengers the possibility to easily plan a trip to take part in the many attractions Canada's Maritime Provinces offer. Now exploring the impressive Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, visiting the stunning Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia or going to the beautiful Prince Edward Island will be easier and more convenient for our customers.

About Maritime Bus
Maritime Bus is a dedicated Line Run passenger and parcel service operating within the major municipalities of the Maritimes providing a vital link between these highly populated areas and the rural communities.

About VIA Rail's intermodal partnerships
Since 2010 VIA Rail has developed more than 20 intermodal and affiliate partnerships aimed at improving connectivity with other passenger carriers across the country. To date, this strategy has led to partnerships with:

• Airline companies – AeroMexico, Cathay Pacific, Hainan Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Air Transat, Royal Jordanian, Air North, Yukon's Airline, Hawkair and First Air;
• Major urban transportation companies – Agence métropolitaine de transport in Montréal, GO Transit and UP Express in Toronto;
• Motor coach transportation companies – notably AirConnect shuttle bus to Montréal Trudeau airport, Robert Q in South-West Ontario, Maritime Bus in Eastern-Canada, Red Arrow in Alberta, and Wilson's Transportation between Vancouver and Victoria.

About VIA Rail Canada
As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail (viarail.ca) and its 2,600 employees are mandated to provide safe, efficient and economical passenger transportation service, in both official languages of our country. VIA Rail operates intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking over 400 communities across Canada and about 180 more communities through intermodal partnerships, 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. For more information, visit: www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail.

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SOURCE VIA Rail Canada Inc.

For further information: Mylène Bélanger, Advisor, Public Relations, VIA Rail Canada, 514 871-6309, 1 877 393-8787, [e-mail], [e-mail]; Mike Cassidy, President, Maritime Bus, 902 393-0139