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The revitalization of VIA
stations, trains and equipment— The renaissance of passenger rail in the
21st century
(NC) — This year VIA Rail Canada proudly marks its 25th
anniversary of service to more than 450 communities along a 14,000-km route that
winds its way from coast to coast through the Rocky Mountains, across Canada's
prairies through central Canada, along the Gaspé Peninsula and on to Atlantic
Canada. One of the world's longest passenger rail networks, VIA's core
inter-city and transcontinental routes offer connections to and from a number of
northern communities, including the Skeena route from Jasper to Prince Rupert,
the Hudson Bay from Winnipeg to Churchill, the Lake Superior from Sudbury to
White River and the Abitibi and Saguenay which connect Montréal with Northern
Québec.
VIA plays an important role in the communities it serves
in a number of ways. Passenger rail contributes to economic development both in
terms of moving people (inter-city commuters, leisure travellers and tourists)
and by investing in the infrastructure required to maintain and enhance the
reliability of the passenger rail system, such as station upgrades and track
improvements.
Canadians are demanding more—more trains, more frequent
departures and, for the densely populated corridor route, faster trip times.
Customer feedback about VIA's service and performance ranks high. Their on-board
service is well recognized as being world-class—the latest accolade being
international recognition for award-winning cuisine by SAGA Holidays of London,
England.
Not only do Canadians enjoy riding the rails, but there
is a growing tourism market drawing visitors from Japan, the US and Europe. As
leisure travel continues to grow, so too will the market expand. Communities in
Canada benefit directly.
VIA's focus continues to be to improve reliability and
on-time performance, made challenging by the fact that VIA passenger trains must
often share track with freight trains, which often take priority and force VIA
scheduling delays.
The five-year federal capital Renaissance investment of
$402 million announced in April, 2000 allowed VIA to begin the massive job of
renewing its fleet, offering new and refurbished cars throughout Canada, and
building or renovating a host of stations across the country.
Not only do these improvements continue to enhance
on-board service, they are providing important community benefits at the local
level, such as car refurbishments in Moncton and Thunder Bay, station
improvements in Vancouver, Jasper, Kitchener, Brantford, Oakville, Toronto,
Oshawa, Kingston, Quebec City, and Halifax as well as new or completely
refurbished stations in Prince Rupert, London, Barrhaven/Fallowfield (West
Ottawa) Campbellton, Bathurst and Moncton.
Safety remains paramount to VIA's planning and
operations. Community awareness programs continue to emphasize the importance of
keeping tracks clear and residents safe.
System-wide, this investment has resulted in community
infrastructure improvements and equipment upgrades to improve traffic flow,
enhance comfort, convenience, safety and deliver long-term environmental
benefits.
Renaissance is about new, attractive and innovative
products and services that benefit communities directly. By providing intermodal
hubs linking VIA's national network to local bus, air and ferry services, VIA is
making travel in Canada more flexible and more convenient for all travellers.
- News Canada
For more information on VIA Rail Canada's
Services, Fares and policies for Families go to VIA
Rail Canada - Policies, Fares and Services for Children
Click below to find out how easy
it is to Enjoy Canada by Rail
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Summer 2005 - Via Rail - This
Summer, Kids Travel for Free
For more information on VIA Rail Canada's
Services, Fares and policies for Families go to
VIA
Rail Canada - Policies, Fares and Services for Children
Click below to find out how easy
it is to Enjoy Canada by Rail
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