VIA Rail Celebrates Earth Day With a 50% Cross-Canada Discount

In an effort to promote the train as a green way to
travel, VIA Rail Canada is offering a 50% discount from April 20 to 26,
2009 for travel until June 30, 2009 in Comfort class anywhere on VIA’s
network.

This year, VIA will also reinforce its commitment to the environment by announcing a new partnership with Earth Day Canada, while maintaining its ongoing commitment to Jour de la Terre Québec. VIA
supports these organizations that provide Canadians with the practical
knowledge and tools they need to lessen their impact on the environment.

Earth Day promotional efforts will be held from April 20 to 26, 2009. To take part, you must register on VIA’s web site at viarail.ca/earth
before April 26. You will receive a code that allows you to reserve
tickets. To receive your discount code, you must reserve a ticket and
travel before June 30, 2009. The discount applies strictly to Comfort
class tickets.

“The train provides a more ecological and
responsible way to travel,” says VIA Rail President and Chief Executive
Officer Paul Côté. “It’s a green choice, one with the potential to play
an increasingly significant role in the reduction of greenhouse gases.
This is why we’re celebrating Earth Day by offering a discount to all
passengers as well as our new partnership with two organisations that
are committed to environmental education and a greener future”.

VIA
Rail seeks to maintain its environmental commitment and reduce its
ecological footprint by recycling and reusing waste while pursuing new
ways to improve locomotives and cars. Since 1990, VIA Rail has reduced
its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 15%, which is roughly equal
to 31,000 tons of CO2, or 10 million litres of fuel.

About VIA Rail
As Canada’s national passenger rail service, VIA Rail Canada’s mandate
is to provide efficient, environmentally sustainable and cost effective
passenger transportation services, both in Canada’s busiest corridor
and in remote and rural regions of the country. VIA serves more than
450 communities with a network of inter city, transcontinental and
regional trains.

About Earth Day Canada
Earth Day Canada (EDC), a national environmental charity founded in
1990, provides Canadians with the practical knowledge and tools they
need to lessen their impact on the environment. EDC regularly partners with thousands of
organizations in all parts of Canada. You can find them at www.earthday.ca.

Jour de la Terre
Le Jour de la Terre Québec a pour mission de stimuler et valoriser
l’action positive à l’égard de l’environnement, auprès des citoyens,
des municipalités, des organismes et des entreprises. Au Québec, c’est
depuis 1995 qu’on le célèbre en organisant toutes sortes d’actions
concrètes et d’activités de sensibilisation. Pour en savoir plus,
visitez le www.jourdelaterre.org.