Travel Advisory - VIA's Toronto operations relocated to avoid congestion
during G20

Trains to originate and terminate at suburban stations from June 24 thru 27 (inclusive)

TORONTO, June 3 /CNW Telbec/ - VIA Rail Canada wishes to advise travellers that to avoid congestion in the downtown Toronto area, it will move its operations from Toronto Union Station to suburban stations during the core G20 summit dates, from June 24 through 27. Additionally, due to extremely low advance ticket sales, VIA will also be operating a weekend schedule around the core summit dates.

"Due to the proximity of Union Station to the main meeting location," said VIA President and CEO Marc Laliberté, "we know that there will be major congestion, making access for our customers very difficult. We regret the inconvenience these changes may cause, but we believe that making them well in advance and communicating this information to travellers now will help minimize access issues for our customers and ensure the continuity of our operations."

The following changes will be in effect for the period of June 24-27, 2010.

    
    - All VIA trains between Toronto and Niagara Falls, Windsor, London and
      points enroute will originate/terminate in Oakville. The VIA/GO Transit
      station is located at 200 Cross Ave., Oakville.
    - All VIA trains between Toronto and Sarnia via Kitchener and London
      ("north main line") and points enroute will originate/terminate in
      Brampton. The VIA/GO Transit station is located at 31 Church St. West,
      Brampton.
    - All VIA trains between Toronto and Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax,
      Gaspé and points enroute will originate/terminate in Oshawa. The VIA/GO
      Transit station is located at 915 Bloor St. West, Oshawa.
    - VIA's Toronto-Vancouver Canadian will originate/terminate at the Oriole
      GO Transit station, located at 3300 Leslie St., North York.
    

Passengers with VIA connections will be shuttled between suburban stations to their connecting trains.

For arriving passengers without connections. VIA will operate a shuttle serving Oshawa station, Scarborough Town Centre, Yorkdale Shopping Centre and Oakville station.

VIA will make every effort to minimize shuttle travel times, but advises that customers should expect delays.

Passengers starting their trips at one of the suburban stations will be responsible for their own local ground transportation. Customers are asked to call VIA at 1 888 VIA-RAIL (842-7245) to confirm their train's departure time.

For the period of June 24-27, passengers holding a valid VIA ticket will be able to board GO trains from Oshawa, Oakville or Brampton and Toronto's Union Station in both directions. Passengers should consult with their local transit operator for schedules serving Oakville, Oshawa and Brampton.

Customers holding bookings for travel during these dates may opt for a full refund or change of reservation for travel that commences no later than August 31, 2010, with no service charges, provided their original reservation has been cancelled or modified prior to the scheduled departure time of their train. Travellers who wish to take advantage of these options should visit viarail.ca for complete conditions and procedures.

VIA is encouraging customers who wish to change or cancel their reservation to advise VIA by June 22. Please note that tickets become non-refundable and non-exchangeable after the scheduled departure time of the train.

Any modifications to schedules or updates to information on suburban operations will be posted at viarail.ca. and available as of June 4 (p.m.) Reservations and information are also available by calling VIA toll-free, at 1 888 VIA-RAIL (842-7245) or 1 800 268-9503 (TTY for the hearing impaired).

VIA will be briefing Toronto area media in the Great Hall of Union Station at 10 a.m., Friday, June 4, 2010.

For further information: Catherine Kaloutsky, [phone]; Elizabeth Huart, [phone]