MONTREAL — After checking off all health and safety requirements, VIA Rail is resuming the Toronto-Winnipeg portion of the Canadian starting next month.

This will allow one full roundtrip per week (Vancouver-Toronto) starting May 17, says the company, which adds that the resumption was made possible following a thorough evaluation of protocols that include physical distancing, enhanced air ventilation and improved measures for passenger access and the protection of employees. One weekly full trip from Toronto-Vancouver will start May 23.

“Over the past year we have continuously sought to find a balance between offering to the best of our abilities essential travel options while following the guidelines and recommendations from public health authorities, as well as federal and provincial governments,” said Cynthia Garneau, President and CEO of VIA Rail Canada. “With health and safety at the heart of our actions, the resumption of one full weekly roundtrip service on the Canadian allows us to continue to provide an essential service to Canadians needing to travel on this route.”

VIA Rail, which is fully aware of an increase in COVID-19 cases, continues to deploy a strict protocol of sanitary measures onboard its trains, in its stations, maintenance centres, call centres and offices. In the event of major changes related to the health crisis by the set resumption dates, it will revise its service offering in line with the latest developments.

All passengers with reservations affected by this resumption of service will be contacted and reimbursed automatically. To facilitate cancellations and refunds, VIA Rail has extended its cancellation policy to include all travel through Sept. 15, 2021, to allow passengers to cancel their upcoming reservations autonomously online, at any time prior to departure, and receive a full refund in addition to not incurring any service charges, regardless of when the ticket was purchased. 

Alternatively, customers can contact the VIA Customer Centre by email at service@viarail.ca or by phone at 1-888-VIA-RAIL (1-888-842-7245) and TTY 1-800-268-9503 (hearing impaired). 

Passengers are reminded that wearing a mask is required at all times in VIA Rail’s stations and onboard VIA Rail trains. Those who do not wear a mask during their trip will be required to disembark or will be refused entry upon boarding. They will also be denied boarding if they’re experiencing symptoms similar to a cold or flu (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) or if they have been denied boarding for travel in the last 14 days due to medical reasons related to COVID-19.

For the most recent updates go to https://www.viarail.ca/en.