VIA Rail Canada, Communauto and VRTUCAR expand the train + auto combo to the Ottawa Region

A new "Eco-Responsible" and "Eco nomical" way to travel between Montreal and Ottawa

 

(OTTAWA, ON) November 25, 2010 — VIA Rail Canada, Communauto and VRTUCAR are proud to announce today a completely new program available to all passengers that combines the train and the automobile on the Montréal-Ottawa line for as little as $79.

Starting today, it will be possible for anyone to register with Communauto or VRTUCAR to reserve a vehicle and a train ticket in a single online operation. At the end of a relaxing train ride, passengers can take possession of their vehicle at the station or any other Communauto or VRTUCAR point of service, and return it to the same location at the end of their stay. For a limited time, the price offered by VIA, Communauto and VRTUCAR is highly attractive, making it possible to enjoy a Montréal-Ottawa return trip and the use of a car for 24 hours, for only $79. The distance traveled by car will be billed additionally at the rate of 12 cents per kilometre. Gas and insurance are also included. For an additional $25 per day, it will be possible to extend the car rental for up to 72 hours.

"This program represents yet another step in our collaboration with Communauto. Since September, Communauto subscribers have been enjoying the Train + Auto combo when travelling between Montreal and Québec City on VIA Rail", declared Steve Del Bosco, VIA's Chief Marketing and Sales Officer. "Not only are we offering substantial discounts on our regular fare, we are providing an ecological and safe alternative to the automobile.” concluded Steve Del Bosco.

VRTUCAR president Wilson Wood affirmed that the program announced today represents an important step in strengthening the carsharing mission of encouraging sustainable transportation. "The launch of the new Train + Auto combo between Ottawa and Montreal is a great opportunity to fulfill the growing demand for sustainable, reliable and affordable transportation along this important corridor. This project constitutes an important advancement of the development of carsharing in Ottawa too. Vrtucar users can now easily and conveniently access Communauto’s entire fleet online when they travel by train to Quebec".

As for Communauto’s CEO, Benoît Robert, the expansion into Ottawa of the Train + Auto combo, already in place in Quebec, demonstrates the maturity that the carsharing industry is acquiring on a national level. “These kinds of partnerships bring us closer to a future in which Canadians can profit from an integrated nation-wide offer for sustainable transportation, uniting public transportation, the train and carsharing in cities around the country. Communauto is working to make this idea a reality.”

“The environment is a priority for our government”, said the Honourable Rob Merrifield, Canada’s Minister of State (Transport). “This partnership demonstrates once again VIA’s continuous engagement at making passenger rail the responsible way to travel.” 
Train + Auto users will be able to make use of a new carsharing location at the Ottawa train station, nearby the rails and easily accessible directly from the train. This location adds to the existing carsharing location at Place Bonaventure, in front of the Central train station in Montreal. Communauto, VRTUCAR and VIA Rail hope to extend this agreement to other stations in Canada in the future, in cities where carsharing and the train are available.

For more details about the Train + Auto Combo, please visit www.communauto.com/viarail or www.vrtucar.com/viarail . This offer is valid until March 15, 2011. Some conditions may apply.

About VIA Rail
As Canada’s national rail passenger service, VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to provide efficient, environmentally sustainable and cost-effective passenger transportation to Canadian travellers in both official languages. Every week VIA operates 503 intercity, transcontinental and regional trains linking 450 communities across its 12,500 kilometre route network. The demand for VIA services is growing as travelers increasingly turn to train travel as a safe, reliable and environmentally responsible alternative to congested roads and airports. VIA safely transports over four million passengers annually.

About Communauto
Founded in 1994, Communauto is the oldest carsharing service in North America and one of the largest in the world. It provides its 22,000 subscribers with some 1100 self-service vehicles, distributed among 350 stations located in Québec City, Lévis, Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Montréal, Longueuil, Saint-Lambert, Laval and Saint-Bruno.

About VRTUCAR
VRTUCAR, Ottawa's own car share organization, was established in 2000 by four environmentally-aware members sharing one car. Today, VRTUCAR has over 1400 members and 70 cars in 55 self-serve locations throughout Ottawa. VRTUCAR members can also access shared cars in Quebec, through a long-standing partnership with Quebec car share Communauto.

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