Credit: VIA Rail Canada
Via Rail is cancelling Canadian and Ocean routes because of COVID-19 pandemic.
In light of a significant reduction in passenger volumes as well as the most recent recommendations of the public health authorities across the country reinforcing the importance of social distancing, VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) announces service changes effective Monday March 23, which will be in place until further notice. This will allow VIA Rail to better deploy its resources and equipment in order to further protect the health and safety of its passengers and employees.
VIA RAIL CANCELLATIONS DUE TO COVID-19
TRAINS IN SERVICE (As per March 15 Update)
Overview of services
| Routes | Services |
| Montréal-Toronto | Reduced services until March 27 inclusively |
| Toronto-Ottawa | |
| Québec City-Montréal-Ottawa | |
| Toronto-London-Windsor | |
| Toronto-Sarnia | Regular services |
| Winnipeg-Churchill-The Pas | |
| Senneterre-Jonquière | |
| Sudbury-White River | |
| The Ocean (Montréal-Halifax) | Cancelled until March 27 inclusively
|
| The Canadian (Toronto-Vancouver) | |
| Prince Rupert-Prince George-Jasper |
SERVICES STARTING MARCH 23 (As per March 19 update)
| ROUTES | SERVICES |
| Québec City-Montréal-Ottawa | 22*/28* and 33/39* |
| Montréal-Ottawa-Fallowfield | 33/39* and 22*/28 |
| Toronto-Kingston-Montréal | 64/68* and 63*/669* |
| Toronto-Kingston- Ottawa | 643*/59 and 52*/48 |
| Toronto- London-Windsor | 72*/78 and 71/75 |
| Toronto-London- Sarnia | 1 departure per day maintained in both directions (trains 87-84) |
| 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) | Suspended until May 1st
|
| The Canadian (Toronto-Vancouver) | |
| Prince Rupert-Prince George-Jasper |
* Some stops have been added on some trains. This information is subject to change without notice.
SERVICES AVAILABLE ON BOARD VIA TRAINS
- Baggage service will no longer be available.
- The Business class will no longer be available in the Québec City-Windsor corridor.
- Sleeper Plus class will no longer be available on the Winnipeg–Churchill route.
- Seat selection will be flexible to allow passengers to travel in a more comfortable manner to follow the social distancing guidelines. Instructions will be provided once on board.
SERVICES AVAILABLE IN STATIONS
- VIA Rail’s Business lounges will be closed.
- Restaurants in VIA Rail owned stations will be closed and customers will only have access to vending machines where available.
Via Rail said that passengers can cancel or modify their reservation at any time prior to departure during the month of March and April and receive a full refund in addition to not incurring any service charges, regardless of when they purchased their ticket. This includes all travel up to and including April 30, 2020, as well as any travel after April 30, 2020, if their outbound train is on or before April 30, 2020.