September 30, 2014

"You're the Boss": VIA Rail's latest offer to business travellers

MONTRÉAL, September 30, 2014 – Today, at a Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montréal business luncheon which will be attended by approximately 400 people, Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, President and CEO of VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail), will kick off the company's new advertising campaign.

The campaign targets people who travel for business and highlights the many advantages of train travel and of how productive it can be for passengers. Whether enjoying the free onboard Wi-Fi in the Québec City-Windsor corridor, or the free meal and beverage service, passengers have plenty to discover in VIA Rail’s refreshing new Business Class service.

"We listened to our customers’ comments and suggestions; this advertising campaign is the result. Business people need enhanced connectivity, a space that supports productivity and time to work – and that is precisely what VIA Rail gives them. Our campaign highlights that on our trains the customer is “the boss" and can decide to use their time however they choose", said Mr. Desjardins-Siciliano.

The campaign also outlines VIA Rail's recent upgrades to its Business class service which include: renovations to VIA Rail lounges and cars, more spacious seats on board, a greener and more comfortable trip, improved meals, more personalized service and more frequent departures, including 22 between Montréal and Québec City, Ottawa and Toronto per day.

Developed in conjunction with the marketing firm Cossette communications, this campaign has been disseminated online over a multitude of websites targeting a clientele that travels between major cities for business. VIA Rail has also been promoting its campaign during news and traffic segments on the radio.

About VIA Rail Canada
As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail Canada (viarail.ca) and its 2,500 employees are mandated to provide safe, efficient and economical passenger transportation service, in both official languages of our country. VIA Rail operates intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking 450 communities across Canada, and safely transports nearly four million passengers annually. The Corporation was awarded seven Safety Awards by the Railway Association of Canada over the last eight years, and was the recipient of the 2012 Agent's Choice Award voted by Canadian travel agents and presented by Baxter Travel Media. Since 2007, the Government of Canada has invested almost a billion dollars in VIA Rail. Read more about our transformation at www.viarail.ca/transformingVIA.