Travel

Montreal, April 15, 2011 - Just in time for planning that spring or summer escape, VIA Rail Canada has launched a sale featuring 50% off the adult regular fare in Economy, Sleeper and Sleeper Touring classes valid for travel across Canada from April 18 to September 5, 2011 inclusive.

MONTREAL, March 29 /CNW Telbec/ - Starting tonight, VIA Rail Canada will offer an additional 10% discount on the best available fare for a trip in Economy of Business class for one-way or round trip travel between any two stations located between Ottawa and Toronto or Montreal and Toronto.

Only direct non-stop service from Canada

TORONTO, Feb. 16 /CNW/ - Porter Airlines is launching its second year of seasonal service to Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Feb. 17. Porter offers the only non-stop flights between Canada and Myrtle Beach, a destination well-suited to Canadians looking for a head start on spring weather and for travellers seeking a family-friendly value destination. Passengers can trade tuques for tee times with Myrtle's award-winning championship golf courses and beautiful beaches.

Airline makes first flight from Toronto Pearson International Airport today

CALGARY, Feb. 2 /CNW/ - WestJet today launches new non-stop, seasonal service between Toronto and Palm Springs, California. The inaugural flight departs Toronto Pearson International Airport at 10:15 a.m. EST.

TORONTO - With a major storm underway in Ontario VIA reports no cancellations to its services in the Ontario - Quebec corridor. Its morning trains are currently running on schedule.

With the heavy snowfall and poor driving conditions VIA encourages customers to allow plenty of time to make it to the station and to pick up their tickets as line-ups are expected to be longer than normal.

It's that time of year again.  The time that passengers are finalizing their travel plans and airport employees are getting ready to greet them.  With most schools beginning their Christmas break at the end of this week, Toronto Pearson is preparing for another busy holiday travel weekend.  The airport is expecting to see 95,000 passengers on Friday, December 17 and 100,000 on Saturday, December 18.  On an average day, about 85,000 passengers travel through Toronto Pearson.

"Guests travelling through Toronto Pearson this holiday season are going to be treated to some new Christmas touches," said Lloyd McCoomb, President and CEO of the GTAA.  "We want to give our guests the best travel experience possible.  We are hoping that our holiday carollers, storytellers and happy holiday helpers will put a smile on passengers' faces as they travel through our airport."

To help guests enjoy a bit of the season at a time when the airport is very busy, between December 17 and 24, guests will be delighted by holiday carollers in Terminals 1 and 3 at various times and locations.  Mrs. Claus and some elves have stolen themselves away from the hustle and bustle of the North Pole and will be on hand to read Christmas stories to children waiting for their flights.  Scores of holiday helpers sporting striped scarves will be handing out candy canes to add an extra touch of the holiday spirit to our guests.

Special Christmas services are planned in the Terminal 1 Chapel for guests and airport staff who will be at the airport during the holidays.  These services are scheduled at various times over the Christmas weekend.  All are welcome to join in these services.

Weather can present some challenges for travel at this time of year.  Toronto Pearson is very proud of its winter operations successes and is intent on maintaining its strong on‐time performance record this winter season.  The team of experts that oversee snow removal, aircraft deicing and overall winter operations is second to none and is committed to keeping Toronto Pearson open and running safely and efficiently all winter.

Passengers are reminded again at this busy time of year to be aware of restrictions on liquids, gels and aerosols when packing their carry‐on luggage.  These items must be packed in 100 ml containers and fit into one clear and resealable plastic bag.  A single 1L bag is permitted per passenger.  Passengers travelling with gifts in their carry on luggage are also reminded to leave gifts unwrapped as packages may be subject to inspection at security check points.

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

TORONTO, June 3 - 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).