WINNIPEG, May 29, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - At its Annual Public Meeting
today, VIA Rail Canada reported that its financial performance
continued to improve in 2011. With revenue growth in most markets
across Canada and rigorous controls on costs, over the past two years
VIA Rail has required $30 million less in government funding for
operations before pension costs.
"As we move forward, we are on track to achieve significant improvements
in VIA's overall performance by 2017, Canada's 150th anniversary," VIA
Chairman Paul Smith said. "We are building a strong, resilient
national passenger service that will deliver better service to
Canadians at less cost to taxpayers - a service that is capable of
growth for the future."
VIA also discussed results for the first quarter of 2012, noting that
weak markets and continued economic uncertainty have affected both
ridership and revenues, compared with the first quarter of 2011.
"While we faced a challenging first quarter, we are confident that we
can meet our performance objectives for 2012," VIA President and Chief
Executive Officer Marc Laliberté said.
VIA outlined key initiatives for 2012, including:
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Completing capital investment projects in trains, tracks, stations and
technology. Renewed locomotives and passenger equipment will deliver
faster, more efficient, more reliable service. Increasing track
capacity will meet growing market demand for passenger rail in the
Quebec City-Windsor Corridor. Better passenger stations and
facilities, along with better online services, will enhance the
experience of traveling by rail.
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Continuing to fine-tune VIA's services, schedules and fares to serve
markets more efficiently, and better integrating passenger rail with
other public transportation services. VIA also outlined a new "Escape
Fare" which will provide better alternatives to car travel in key
markets.
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Increasing efficiency and customer service through technology
initiatives, such as electronic ticketing and mobile booking. A new
and more customer-friendly online fare display will give customers more
options at their finger-tips to plan and buy the train trip most
suitable to their needs.
Mr. Laliberté described VIA's agenda as "a process of change that will
continue, as we keep fine tuning and adjusting our business to deliver
the right service for Canadians. And over time, more and more
customers are going to get on board. That, in the end, is how we will
meet the big challenge in the years ahead - building a more cost
effective rail service for the future."
Additional information
For more information about VIA's Annual Public Meeting, visit http://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail/our-company/annual-public-meeting.
For more information about VIA's performance and initiatives in 2011,
see VIA's Annual Report available at http://www.viarail.ca/about-via-rail/our-company/annual-report/2011-annual-report. VIA's latest quarterly report will be available as of May 31, 2012 at
http://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail/our-company/quarterly-reports.
Information about VIA's capital investment projects is available at http://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail/capital-investment
About VIA Rail Canada
As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail Canada's (www.viarail.ca) mandate is to provide safe, efficient, environmentally sustainable
passenger transportation, in the country's two official languages.
Every week, VIA operates intercity, regional and transcontinental
trains linking 450 communities across its 12,500-kilometre route
network. Winner of the 2011 RAC Safety Award, VIA transports over four
million passengers annually. Since 2007, the Government has provided
VIA with nearly one billion dollars in capital investment funding
Follow the evolution of current projects at viarail.ca/transformingVIA. Follow VIA on Twitter at twitter.com/via_rail. Visit VIA on Facebook at facebook.com/viarailcanada.
