VIA prepares to reinstitute partial train service April 8

Track Work Continues on VIA’s Victoria to Courtenay Route

Victoria–VIA Rail Canada wishes to advise travellers that it plans to reinstitute partial train service between Victoria and Nanaimo next week.

VIA has been advised by the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) that the track maintenance work between Victoria and Nanaimo is proceeding well and should be completed by April 7th, 2011.   Accordingly, effective April 8th, 2011 regular train service will resume between Victoria and Nanaimo in both directions.

Track maintenance work between Nanaimo and Courtenay, however, is expected to continue into May.  Bus service in lieu of train service will continue to be offered on this portion of the route until work is completed.

Customers wishing to travel who have not yet purchased a tickets are encouraged to do so ahead of time as space is limited, particularly between Nanaimo and Courtenay. 

VIA’s northbound train 199 departs daily from Victoria to Courtenay at 08:00 am.

VIA’s southbound train 198 departs daily from Courtenay to Victoria at 1:15 p.m.

VIA wishes to apologize for any inconvenience this disruption, which is out of its control, may cause to its passengers. Customers wishing further information may visit our website viarail.ca or call 1 888-VIA RAIL (842-7245) or 1 888-842-6348. 

Updates will be issued as more information becomes known.

-30-