VIA Rail Celebrates Earth Day With a 50% Cross-Canada Discount!

Montreal – In an effort to promote the train as a green way to travel, VIA Rail Canada is offering a 50% discount from April 20 to 26, 2009 for travel until June 30, 2009 in Comfort class anywhere on VIA’s network. This year, VIA will also reinforce its commitment to the environment with the announcement of a new Earth Day Canada partnership. VIA is also maintaining its ongoing commitment to Earth Day Quebec. VIA supports these organisations that provide Canadians with the practical knowledge and tools they need to lessen their impact on the environment.

Earth Day promotional efforts will be held from April 20 to 26, 2009. To take part, you must register on VIA’s web site at viarail.ca/earth before April 26. You will receive a code that allows you to reserve tickets. To receive your discount code, you must reserve a ticket and travel before June 30, 2009. The discount applies strictly to Comfort class tickets.

“The train provides a more ecological and responsible way to travel,” says VIA Rail President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Côté. “It’s a green choice, one with the potential to play an increasingly significant role in the reduction of greenhouse gases. This is why we’re celebrating Earth Day by offering a discount to all passengers as well as our new partnership with two organisations that are committed to environmental education and a greener future”.

VIA Rail seeks to maintain its environmental commitment and reduce its ecological footprint by recycling and reusing waste while pursuing new ways to improve locomotives and cars. Since 1990, VIA Rail has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 15%, which is roughly equal to 31,000 tons of CO2, or 10 million litres of fuel.

About VIA Rail
As Canada’s national passenger rail service, VIA Rail Canada’s mandate is to provide efficient, environmentally sustainable and cost effective passenger transportation services, both in Canada’s busiest corridor and in remote and rural regions of the country. VIA serves more than 450 communities with a network of inter city, transcontinental and regional trains.

About Earth Day Canada
Earth Day Canada (EDC), a national environmental charity founded in 1990, provides Canadians with the practical knowledge and tools they need to lessen their impact on the environment. In 2004 it was recognized as the top environmental education organization in North America, for its innovative year-round programs and educational resources, by the Washington-based North American Association for Environmental Education, the world's largest association of environmental educators. In 2008 it was chosen as Canada’s “Outstanding Non-profit Organization” by the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication. EDC regularly partners with thousands of organizations in all parts of Canada. You can find them at www.earthday.ca.

Jour de la Terre – French web site only
Le Jour de la Terre Québec a pour mission de stimuler et valoriser l'action positive à l'égard de l'environnement, auprès des citoyens, des municipalités, des organismes et des entreprises. Au Québec, c'est depuis 1995 qu'on le célèbre en organisant toutes sortes d'actions concrètes et d'activités de sensibilisation. Pour en savoir plus, visitez le www.jourdelaterre.org.