Responding to the increase in demand for intercity travel and the progressive deconfinement between the provinces of Québec and Ontario, VIA Rail Canada announces the increase of daily frequencies in the Corridor as of September 1, 2020, restoring the services to close to 50% of the usual offering.
“We are very pleased to announce today an important milestone in our efforts to resume our services,” said Cynthia Garneau, President and CEO. “This represents our biggest addition of frequencies in the Corridor since the start of the pandemic. This initiative prioritizes the health and safety of our employees and passengers, balancing the possible service offerings and the recommendations issued by public health authorities in the context of the ongoing situation.”
VIA Rail is still working towards a return to service in November for the Ocean and the Canadian, its Eastern and Western long-distance services, taking into account the most recent health developments. Regional services will maintain their current service for the time being.
Prior to booking travel, passengers are encouraged to visit VIA Rail’s website for the most current schedules.
Services Starting September 1, 2020
| ROUTES | SERVICES |
| Québec City-Montréal-Ottawa | 22, 28, 35 and 39 New: 24, 29, and 633 starting September 1 |
| Toronto-Kingston-Montréal | 62, 63, 66 and 669 New: 64 and 67 starting September 1 |
| Toronto-Kingston-Ottawa | 48, 52, 53 and 59 New: 42 and 643 starting September 1 |
| Toronto-London-Windsor | 72 and 75 New: 71 and 78 starting September 1 |
| Toronto-London-Sarnia | 84 and 87 |
| Senneterre & Jonquière | One round trip per week |
| Sudbury-White River | One round trip per week |
| Winnipeg-Churchill | All trains are operating |
| The Ocean (Montréal-Halifax) and The Canadian (Toronto-Vancouver) | Cancelled until November 1 |
| Prince Rupert-Prince George-Jasper | One round trip per week |
Wearing a mask is required at all times in our stations and on-board VIA Rail trains. For the health and safety of all passengers and employees, passengers who do not wear a mask during their trip will be required to disembark the train, or will be refused entry upon boarding. VIA Rail continues to adjust its operations and deploys a strict protocol of sanitary measures on board its trains, in its stations, maintenance centres and call centers in response to the pandemic and in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19. The most recent updates are available on VIA Rail’s website.
