The modernization of the train reservation system in Canada leads to a complete discontinuation of ticket reservation options on the VIA Rail network.

VIA Rail Canada’s current reservation system is actually transitioning to a new platform. Which means, that The system will be decommissioned on Friday, November 17th between 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time and 5:00 p.m. ET. Saturday November 18th. For French travelers, this is actually almost the entire day of Saturday 18th.

Since passengers will not be able to make reservations, changes or cancellations during this system disruption, VIA Rail strongly encourages them to reserve and plan their trips before the “fateful” moment.

This suspension does not lead to an interruption of railway operations. Over and beyond, All reservations made before the system interruption remain valid.

A network that is functioning normally

However, there will be certain impacts on the following customer services during this period:

• • It is not possible to reserve, cancel or change a trip at the various VIA Rail points of sale (online, at the station, on board or by contacting the VIA Rail customer center);
  • Passengers who did not purchase a ticket before the system disruption will not be able to board trains during this period;
  • Online customer profiles are not accessible and it is not possible to print boarding passes from these profiles.
  • It is not possible to print boarding passes at the station;
  • However, passengers will have access to their travel documents via the email sent with the boarding pass.

All information about this system interruption can also be found on the website from VIA Rail.

Over and beyond, VIA Rail and its American counterpart Amtrak discussed the possibility of reviving the Chicago-Detroit-Toronto rail line, discontinued since 1979. The connection would put Chicago just under 10 hours from Toronto. From Detroit, the journey to the Canadian metropolis would take 4 hours and 45 minutes.