Wireless Internet deployed ahead of time on all VIA 1 cars

VIA Rail Canada announced today the completion of its Wi-Fi deployment on all VIA 1 cars in the Quebec-Windsor corridor, the first commercial deployment of Wireless Internet on passenger trains in North America. The initial plan was to have the service implemented by the end of April, but thanks to the efficiency of the technical team and the cooperation of all suppliers, VIA was able to implement this new service ahead of schedule. The plan is to have Wi-Fi available on all VIA trains in the Corridor by the end of the year.

"The performance required to deploy ahead of schedule has everything to do with bringing value to our customers," stated Steve Del Bosco, Chief customer officer, adding that, "this also indicates clearly that we strive to exceed expectations and that we want to offer our customers a more relaxing and productive way to travel."

Thanks to the flexibility of this technology, travelers will also soon have access to entertainment on board and train arrival information.

VIA recently invited some 64,000 VIA Preference members and its 10,000 "VIA virtual business community" members to take advantage of a complimentary one-hour Wi-Fi access trial.

At the same time, VIA is running a contest on the Company's portal entry page for Wi-Fi users, where customers can fill out an on-line entry form. Wi-Fi users can participate whether they are paying for the service or using the complimentary offer. Prizes will consist of one of VIA's 10-Bizpaks; which offer six VIA 1 trips each, valued at $1300 each, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi access for one month, a value of $46.00. In addition, there are fifteen secondary prizes consisting of two free upgrades to VIA 1 class and one-day Wi-Fi access cards.

About VIA

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As Canada's national passenger rail service, VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to provide efficient, environmentally responsible and cost effective passenger transportation services, both in Canada's business corridor and in remote and rural regions of the country. Serving more than 450 communities with a 14,000-kilometer network of inter-city, transcontinental and regional trains, demand for rail services continues to grow as more Canadians turn to train travel as a safe and convenient travel choice. For more information, or to reserve a ticket, go to www.viarail.ca or call toll-free 1-888-VIARAIL.

For further information: Roch Landriault, NATIONAL Public relations, (514) 843-2345, rlandriault@national.ca; Sylvie Bachand, VIA RAIL CANADA, (514) 871-6119, Sylvie_bachand@viarail.ca

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