April 19, 2013

Earth Day: Be a more energy efficient traveller thanks to VIA Rail!

Montréal, April 19, 2013 - In celebration of Earth Day, VIA Rail Canada is proud to announce its contribution to improve the environmental impact of intercity transportation. Since 2008, VIA Rail has consistently reduced its diesel fuel consumption and put fewer greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) into the air, while being at the forefront of passenger carriers to ensure regulatory compliance and managing our waste efficiently.

« We are committed to making our trains the most environmentally sustainable option for Canadians. One train can replace 10 buses or 180 cars when comparing GHG emissions per capacity. Because it generates far lower greenhouse gas emissions than travel by air or private automobile, passenger rail is widely recognized as the green choice for travel », said Marc Laliberté, President and Chief Executive Officer of VIA Rail.

These fuel savings are largely due to the refurbishment of the F40s, more strategic deployment of locomotives, and more efficient equipment cycling. The Corporation did better in 2012 than the previous year, using approximately 4.4 million fewer litres of fuel compared to 2011, a reduction of 8.8% and savings of approximately $4 million. As a result by the end of 2012, VIA Rail have reduced fuel consumption by 23.5%, and greenhouse gas emissions by 13% per passenger-kilometre, compared to 2008.

About VIA Rail Canada
As Canada's national passenger rail service, VIA Rail Canada (www.viarail.ca) has a mandate to provide Canadian travellers with safe, efficient, and cost-effective passenger transportation services in the country's two official languages. VIA operates intercity, regional and transcontinental train services linking 450 communities through its 12,500-kilometre network. Winner of the 2011 RAC Safety Award, VIA Rail safely transports more than four million passengers annually. In 2007, the Government of Canada invested almost a billion dollars in VIA Rail. Follow our transformation on viarail.ca/transformingVIA.