April 4, 2014

VIA Rail is posting personnel on a full time basis at Fallowfield area crossings‎

Montréal, April 4, 2014 – Following reports of recurring incidents in the area around Fallowfield Station (including some false reports), and to address concerns expressed by area representatives and re-assure the public, VIA Rail Canada (viarail.ca) has posted personnel at the crossing area located near Fallowfield station. This area encompasses the crossings at Fallowfield Road, Woodroffe Avenue and the OC Transpo Transitway.

Since this morning and until further notice, personnel will be attending at these locations, 24 hours per day, seven days a week. These workers will (1) monitor the function of the automatic warning devices, (2) take necessary measures to ensure public safety in the case a device goes into fail-safe mode and (3) make necessary repairs, if needed.

VIA Rail reaffirms its commitment to safety of its operations for its passengers, employees and the public, which is the Corporation’s primary concern. Safe and secure train operations are the foundation of everything VIA Rail does.

The situation that occurred earlier this morning has been resolved. VIA Rail apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused. At no time was public safety compromised.

VIA Rail reminds people that crossings’ signals must be respected at all times. One should never attempt to cross a railway line when warning devices have been activated regardless of the inconvenience it may cause.

About VIA Rail Canada
As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to provide safe, efficient and economical travel, in both official languages of our country. VIA Rail operates intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking 450 communities across its 12,500 km network. Recipient of the Railway Association of Canada's Safety Award in 2012 for the 11th time in 12 years, and of Baxter Travel Media’s 2013 Agent's Choice Award (voted on by Canadian travel agents), VIA Rail safely transports nearly four million passengers annually. Since 2007, the Government of Canada has invested more than a billion dollars in VIA Rail. Follow the progress of our transformation at viarail.ca/transformingvia.