Via Rail Wins Agents Award
Via Rail Canada spans one Continent and three oceans
by Jerry W. Bird
How fortunate Canadians and their visitors are to have a national railway service that connects and still unites so much of the country, rolling through 5 different time zones, with terrain as different as night from day, and every mile a journey into history.The maps show some of the many options available in a Via Rail trip across Canada, starting with the Victoria to Courtenay link on Vancouver Island, the Japser to Prince Rupert Skeena line and Winnipeg to Churchill on Hudson's Bay. Try those routes for starters, we will provide more description on this and succeeding pages of our Adventure Rails section.
Via Rail Canada's new Silver and Blue trains' food service menu reflects a definite return to elegance in dining. The company's latest news release mentions 139 new coaches being added to the fleet, including state of the art dining and kitchen cars. To experience Canada in style, ask your travel agent to book you at one of Canada's famous Railway Castles as featured in our hotel and resort section. We've stayed at most of them and know you will not be disappointed. For more details visit: www.viarail.ca
VIA Rail Canada Rolls into Top Spot For Agent's Choice Awards
Good Service and Knowledgeable Staff Score High
MONTREAL. IA Rail Canada has been awarded the First Place for passenger rail services in the eighth annual Agent's Choice Awards. Returning to the number one spot after a one-year lapse is testament to the company's ongoing commitment to customer focus and innovation. More than 4000 travel agents participated in the voting that recognizes the very best in 19 categories from rail operators to tour operators.
An easy-to-use website, informative staff and outstanding service were cited as a few reasons why VIA was voted into the top spot. VIA receives numerous letters from customers signifying the positive outcomes of their trips due to helpful staff and efficient travels throughout VIA services, however this award is recognition that comes from VIA's travel agent partners in the industry. "The few times I've called they're always there to help," said Dolphie Judd of Belview Travel Inc. in Toronto. "They're very polite and
helpful. The agent website is also very good. It's easy to use and you can do
a booking in less than ten minutes."
Mohamed Bhanji, director, Marketing Technologies at VIA, was thrilled to
see VIA back in first place, as they were in years prior to 2006. "It's always
nice to get a vote of confidence from the agency community, who are our
partners," said Bhanji.
This news further supports VIA's vision to continue to innovate. VIA has
almosted completed the migration of travel agencies from the Global
Distribution Systems (GDSs) to its agent website which provides rich content.
VIA will continue to invest in new technology to enhance the usability and
functionality of its agent website.
Coming in second place this year was Rocky Mountaineer, followed by Rail
Europe, British Rail and Orient Express. Filling in the overall top ten were Amtrak, Japan Rail, Brewster, Trans-Siberian Railway and Shongololo Express.
VIA Rail Canada is the national passenger rail service, connecting some 450 communities from coast to coast. For further information, please call 888 VIA-RAIL (842-7245), TTY 800 268-9503 (hearing impaired), visit VIA's website at viarail.ca or contact your travel agent.
For further information: VIA Contacts: Catherine Kaloutsky, Corporate
Communications, (416) 956-7683, catherine_kaloutsky@viarail.ca ; Mohamed
Bhanji, Marketing Technologies, (514) 871-6329, mohamed_bhanji@viarail.ca
