October 13, 2017
THANKSGIVING WEEKEND: VIA RAIL WELCOMES 20% MORE PASSENGERS ON BOARD
HIGHLIGHTS
From Thursday, October 5, to Tuesday, October 10, 2017:
VIA Rail Cross-Canada Services
- 97,300 passengers | 20.5% increase compared to 2016
- More than 34 million kilometers travelled | 20% increase compared to 2016
- 21% increase in passenger revenue compared to 2016
- Busiest day: Friday, October 6
Quebec City – Windsor Corridor
- 92,700 passengers | 22% increase compared to 2016
- 20% increase in passenger revenue compared to 2016
Toronto – Vancouver (the Canadian)
- 2,600 passengers | 20% increase compared to 2016
- 39% increase in passenger revenue compared to 2016
Montréal – Halifax (the Ocean)
- 1,300 passengers | 5%increase compared to 2016
- 15% increase in passenger revenue compared to 2016
Montréal, October 13, 2017 – New records were set by VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) over the Thanksgiving weekend. From October 5 to 10, 97,300 passengers travelled by train – a 20.5% increase over the same period in 2016. This spectacular gain was also reflected in revenues which rose 21% over 2016. Passengers covered a total distance of over 34 million kilometers on the 367 trains that crossed the country. In the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor, 92,700 people travelled. As well, with 20,900 people travelling onboard VIA Rail trains on Friday, October 6, a new record for revenue generated over a single day* was set with sales totalling $1.7 million.
“I am pleased to announce these excellent results. We have set a new record, for the fifth long weekend in a row. Also, reaching the 20,000-passenger mark over one day shows that our ongoing efforts to improve the customer experience are paying off. We owe this success to our dedicated staff who provide exceptional service that has prompted more and more Canadians to choose the train as the greenest and safest way to travel,” said Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, President and Chief Executive Officer at VIA Rail.
*Statistics compiled since 2009
About VIA Rail Canada
As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail (viarail.ca) and its 2,700 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 over 400 communities across Canada, and about 180 more communities through intermodal partnerships, 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. For more information, visit: /en/about-via-rail.