VIA - Ocean's summer success leads to more departures for holidays

Halifax, October 8, 2015 –Thanks to the notable increase of 13% in ridership over the summer compared to last year on VIA Rail’s Ocean service, six additional departures will be added over the holiday season. The added trains will allow VIA Rail to serve more Canadians, more often on its eastern Canadian long-distance train.

Linking Halifax to Montréal, Ocean train passengers will have 24 departures to choose from over the holidays, between December 16 - January 3. These additional trains are a great opportunity for travellers to visit loved ones while enjoying the relaxing benefits of this iconic train. All departures are now available to reserve online. Also, until October 16, get 25% off Via Rail's SleeperPlus class.

“We are very happy to have welcomed 5,000 more passengers onboard the Ocean between May and September compared to last year”, stated Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, President and CEO of VIA Rail. "It’s thanks to the improvements we made to the eastern service along with the efforts made by the community representatives with whom we worked that the Ocean saw this increase in popularity.”

“We are improving the Ocean’s service in order to offer the eastern population more options for holiday travel,” added Susan Williams, General Manager, Eastern Canada of VIA Rail, “This year, we are pleased to have an additional 1,750 seats and 930 beds available for travel between Halifax and Montréal, so that more people can experience VIA Rail’s exceptional service.”

Ocean train departures over the holidays are scheduled on the following dates:

From Montréal to Halifax – Train #14

Wednesday, December 16                Friday, December 18
Sunday, December 20                      Monday, December 21
*Tuesday, December 22                   *Wednesday, December 23
Sunday, December 27                      Monday, December 28
*Tuesday, December 29                   *Wednesday, December 30
Friday January 1                              Sunday, January 3

From Halifax to Montréal – Train #15

Wednesday, December 16                Friday, December 18
Sunday, December 20                      Tuesday, December 22
*Wednesday, December 23              Sunday, December 27
Monday, December 28                     *Tuesday, December 29
*Wednesday, December 30               Friday, January 1
Saturday, January 2                         *Sunday, January 3

*Additional Departures
Departures scheduled for Friday, December 25 have been cancelled.