VIA Rail’s Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare Popular - Over 60,000 trips taken in July

MONTRÉAL — VIA Rail Canada announced today that the Canadian Forces special appreciation fare promotion, which took place in the month of July, was a resounding success. Military members and their families took over 60,000 trips, logging some 20 million passenger-miles from coast to coast.

For the entire month of July, VIA offered free unlimited transportation to current and retired employees of the Canadian Forces the Department of National Defense to anywhere on VIA’s network. In addition, the members could bring up to five guests at 50% off the regular applicable fare. In total, these discounted tickets generated close to $800,000.

VIA has received hundreds of responses from the people who took advantage of this promotion. Many shared their heartwarming experiences as well as highlighted the exceptional efforts of VIA’s personnel. The common theme uniting all of these letters is a sense of gratitude - expressed by soldiers, veterans, and their families - for VIA’s appreciation of their contribution to the country and decision to recognize their service.

This promotion was the first of its kind and VIA is very pleased with the results. “We are proud of the men and women who serve and have served our country and are delighted that so many were able to take advantage of this special offer” said Steve Del Bosco, Chief Customer Officer.