Starting today, VIA offering faster trips and more convenient times between
Quebec City and Montreal

MONTREAL, April 6 /CNW Telbec/ - VIA Rail Canada is proud to introduce today significant service improvements to its Quebec City-Montreal route. With the assignment of newly rebuilt F40 locomotives to this route, travellers now have for the first time an opportunity to enjoy the VIA experience between Montreal and Quebec City while reaching their destination more quickly, and at more convenient times.

Travel times have been shortened by as much as 20 minutes, while arrival and departure times for certain trains have been modified to better suit passengers' needs. For example, the first morning train (train 21) now leaves Quebec City at 05:35 a.m., Sainte-Foy at 06:00 a.m. and arrives in Montreal at 08:32 a.m., as opposed to 09:17 a.m. in the past.

These improvements have been made possible by a better synchronization of freight and passenger trains, following extensive discussions with Canadian National. Also, VIA's newest, most powerful and fuel-efficient locomotives will be assigned to this route. This will allow for better acceleration and maximum possible track speeds throughout the trip.

"We are proud to know that the funds allocated to VIA's Capital Investment Plan are helping to improve the services we provide to Canadians," said the Honourable Rob Merrifield, Minister of State, Transport. "We are pleased to contribute to the introduction of shorter travel times on the popular Montreal-Quebec City route."

"We are working hard to improve our service and our technology," said VIA's President and CEO, Marc Laliberté. "The changes implemented today are a perfect example of our constant evolution to adapt to our customers' changing needs while using taxpayer dollars as efficiently as possible."

To view VIA's new Quebec City-Montreal schedules, please click here: (http://www.viarail.ca/en/trains/ontario-and-quebec/montreal-quebec-city/schedules).

For more information on VIA's train schedules and fares, customers can visit www.viarail.ca or call 1 888 VIA RAIL (842-7245), TTY 1 800 268-9503 (hearing impaired).

About VIA Rail

As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to provide efficient, environmentally sustainable and cost-effective passenger transportation-in both official languages. Every week, VIA operates 503 intercity, transcontinental and regional trains linking 450 communities across its 12,500-kilometre route network. The demand for VIA services is growing as travellers increasingly turn to train travel as a safe, reliable and environmentally responsible alternative to congested roads and airports.

For further information: Media contacts: Elizabeth Huart, Corporate Communications, VIA Rail Canada, [phone], [email protected]