Gearing up for Back to School

MONTREAL - With back-to-school jingles and sales beginning, students are budgeting their hard-earned summer funds with a year full of activities in mind. Students of all ages can take advantage of savings and fare discounts available with VIA Rail Canada throughout the school year. With discounts and plenty of departures from university/college towns served by VIA’s Windsor-Québec City Corridor services, travelling by train makes cents.

Here are a number of ways students can take advantage of VIA savings:

The ISIC Card (International Student Identity Card) is recognized around the world. It is the only student ID card recognized by VIA which entitles students 18 years of age or older to save 35% on individual Comfort class (Economy) fares throughout Canada, as well as savings on other classes. No advance purchase is required, and there are no service charges! Student fares are available for all trains and all destinations year round. Just present your ISIC wherever VIA tickets are sold.

Being a student often means having to travel frequently between the same two cities - between home and college/university, for example. And being a student often means your travel budget is tight. The VIA 6 pak makes the grade for students with savings of 50% on the purchase of three round-trip tickets between the same two stations! A valid ISIC card is required to obtain the VIA 6 pak and to book your tickets.

Recent graduates, or students not registered in school full-time, can also benefit from savings when travelling with VIA Rail. If you are between 18 and 25, VIA’s newly created Youth Fare provides:

25% discount in Comfort class (economy)
10% discount in sleeper class (including Totem and Totem Deluxe classes)
10% discount on Canrailpass, Corridorpass, and the North America Rail Pass
Photo ID with proof of age is required at the time of ticket purchase and must also be presented on board the train upon request.

A Commuter Pass is also extremely handy. Students can choose between two convenient passes, both of which are valid within a chosen zone in southern Québec or southwestern Ontario.

The monthly commuter pass gives travellers unlimited travel between the same two stations for one calendar month, starting on the first day of the month and ending on the last day.
The 10 round-trip Commuter Pass is valid for ten round trips between the same two stations within a 30-day period, starting on the first day you use it.
Want to send the new student off with something special? VIA’s Gift Card - is the perfect gift that keeps on giving. Gift cards can be used to purchase any VIA product, including travel passes, which offer guaranteed savings throughout the country. There’s a gift card for every budget: available in $25, $50 and $100 units or choose the Flexi card to determine yourself the exact dollar amount on the card.

VIA’s “Flexi Fares” are based on one-way travel and have common conditions and restrictions throughout the VIA network. Depending on availability, Comfort class passengers may choose from Regular Fares, Discounted Fares or Supersaver Flexi Fares. VIA’s Supersaver fares offer a deep discount representing great value for money to travellers who do not foresee the need to make changes to their tickets, once purchased. Discounted fares, offer discounts with some flexibility and are the choice for budget-minded customers who want to be able to make changes to their plans, if required. Passengers who want complete flexibility with no service charges for changes or cancellations will appreciate VIA’s Regular Fares. For more information visit viarail.ca/flexifares.

Students can visit VIA’s dedicated website at viacampus.ca to order a VIA 6 pak, review schedules or simply connect with other student travellers. For a complete listing of train departures, fares, or information on any VIA product or service please call 1888 VIA-RAIL (842-7245), TTY 1 800 268-9503 (hearing impaired), visit VIA’s website viarail.ca, or contact your travel agent. Passengers can also book their tickets at VIA kiosks located in major Corridor stations. Students can also sign up for VIA’s Student e-Letter to receive updates on contests, promotions and other savings.

VIA Rail Canada is the national passenger rail service, connecting some 450 communities from coast to coast. Demand for VIA’s rapid inter-city services in the Québec City-Windsor Corridor has grown in recent years, as more Canadians turn to train travel as a hassle-free and cost-efficient alternative to congested roads and airports.