Frequently Asked Questions

A: VIA’s travel media rates range from 50% to 100% travel assistance. The level of assistance is evaluated by a number of factors including the reach, circulation and audience of the publication, the requested VIA services (longhaul vs. Corridor), and the timing of the request (high season vs. low season). A 100% media rate indicates that VIA will cover 100% of the rail transportation costs as outlined in the media request. Other requests are covered as per the amount indicated (i.e. 50%).

A: VIA recommends interested journalists do as much research as possible prior to contacting VIA for travel assistance in order to narrow down the service(s) that best fit their publication’s demographics. VIA can provide journalists with additional information to help them finalize their plans however journalists need a chosen route in order to fill out the online request form.

A: Once journalists have received written confirmation from VIA offering travel assistance, they will be directed to VIA’s reservation line – 1 888 VIA RAIL (842-7245) to make their booking. Journalists are asked to make a regular booking with a VIA ticket agent (discounts will not be applied over the phone). Once a journalist has their reservation number, they should email it to media@viarail.ca so that the applicable discount is applied. Tickets can be picked up directly at the station prior to departure (for 100% media rates) or by the date advised (for media rates at less than 100%).

A: In order to submit VIA’s online request form, journalists must include a return date. If you only wish to travel one way, please select an arbitrary return and indicate in the “Description or length of your assignment” section that you are only requesting one-way transportation.

A: Please ensure you have enclosed examples of previous articles you have written to support your request. VIA requires previously published writing examples in order to evaluate all requests. Advertising/media kits or article proposals are not sufficient on their own.

A: If you travelling with the support of or in collaboration with a tourism partner (i.e. Canadian Tourism Commission, Ontario Tourism, etc) or a hotel or resort, please indicate this here.

A: If you wish to have an entire VIA car to yourself for your film project, we recommend using VIA’s chartered car service. This service allows individuals and businesses to hire a VIA car for their specific event and customize it to their needs.

If you are looking to film on board a VIA train that is occupied by other passengers, this must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. While VIA does permit on board filming from time to time, in general these projects serve to promote VIA’s services across various markets and are small in terms of equipment and crew so as not to disrupt regular service to other passengers on board. Unfortunately we do not have the personnel to accommodate all requests we receive. Please submit your request online so that it may be evaluated based on the information you provide. All requests must be submitted as early as possible (2-4 weeks minimum) as waivers and contracts must be signed prior to any permission to film being granted.

A: For all requests to film at VIA stations, VIA requires as much advance notice as possible (2-4 weeks minimum) in order to prepare any necessary waivers or contracts and to notify necessary station staff. Please be advised that VIA does not own each station from which it operates. As such, for some stations where VIA is a tenant and not the proprietor (such as Montreal’s Central station and Union Station in Toronto), the requester may have to deal directly with the station proprietors in order to clear the process with station security.