August 28, 2009

VIA Rail launches a new Bike Train between Montreal and Toronto

Two departures per day in each direction from August 24 to October 8, 2009

MONTREAL – VIA Rail Canada announces the launch of the Montreal-Toronto Bike Train Initiative, offering outdoor enthusiasts an easy and comfortable way to discover some popular cycling venues in Ontario and Quebec.  In partnership with the Ontario and Quebec Ministries of Tourism and Alternative Transportation Options, VIA’s Montreal-Toronto Bike Train combines two green modes of transportation – cycling and train travel – a natural choice for enjoying the country.

Building on the success of the Toronto-Niagara Bike Train, the Montreal-Toronto Bike Train will enable passengers to travel in comfort between Montreal and Toronto with their bikes safely secured on board.  The installation of bike racks in the baggage car eliminates the need to box bikes for transport.  Each baggage car accommodates up to 6 bicycles per trip.  From cycling through Toronto’s many multicultural neighbourhoods to linking up with Quebec’s famous Route verte, this environmentally friendly initiative will have you seeing more greenery than you can imagine. 

The Montreal-Toronto Bike Train pilot project will operate between August 24 to October 8, 2009 on the following departures:

Train 52 (Mon-Sat) – Departing Toronto at 7:05am, Arriving Montreal at 12:33pm
Train 53 (Mon-Sat) – Departing Montreal at 6:30am, Arriving Toronto at 11:29am
Train 66 (Sun-Fri) – Departing Toronto at 5:00pm, Arriving Montreal at 9:38pm
Train 67 (Sun-Fri) – Departing Montreal at 5:00pm, Arriving Toronto at 9:47pm
 
For more information customers can visit viarail.ca/en/biketrain.  Tickets for the Montreal-Toronto Bike Train must be purchased directly from biketrain.ca/montrealtoronto or by calling 1 866 333 4491.  For more information on VIA Rail or to book a trip anywhere in the VIA system, customers can visit viarail.ca or call 1 888 VIA RAIL (842-7245), TTY 1 800 268-9503 (hearing impaired).


- 30 -