VIA Rail gives travellers more ways and more reasons to discover the Niagara Region this summer

With VIA Rail Canada's 2006 summer Niagara train services, visiting any of the region's exciting attractions can be a carefree and comfortable experience. And from May 19 to September 8, on select departures, passengers can enjoy a number of activities offered in Canada's first casino car. This summer, whether your travels take you to "The Falls", the Casino, or any of the region's award-winning wineries, leaving the driving to VIA - just makes perfect cents!

Fallsview Casino Car

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VIA's luxurious Glenfraser lounge car has been "wrapped" as a Fallsview Casino Resort slot machine. On board the car, passengers are able to relax and enjoy a complimentary Peller Estate wine sampling while they learn to play blackjack from a professional Fallsview Casino Resort dealer. The learn-to- play and wine experience is available on Friday and Saturday departures to Niagara Falls to all adult passengers.

Ontario's Niagara Region is one of the world's fastest growing tourism destinations averaging more than 14 million tourists a year. Along with VIA's regular daily departures, the new services will operate during the busy summer season when highway congestion to and in the region is at its highest, providing travellers with the flexibility of a fun-filled day trip or more relaxing overnight getaway.

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Train Toronto To Niagara Falls Train Niagara Falls To Toronto

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97 08:30 - 10:26 (Daily) 90 06:40 - 08:34 (Mon-Fri)

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93(*) 10:00 am - 11:48 (Daily) 92(*) 2:15 p.m. - 4:08 p.m.

(Sat/Sun)

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98 5:45 p.m. - 7:42 p.m.

(Daily)

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95(xx) 5:45 - 7:38 p.m. (Daily) 94(*) 9:20 p.m. - 11:09 p.m

(Daily)

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(*) Fallsview Casino Car will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday

throughout the summer and feature wine and cheese. The learn-to-play

experience(xx) (in addition to wine and cheese) will be available on VIA

Train 95 Toronto departures on Friday and Saturday. A shuttle service

will also operate each Friday and Saturday evening between VIA's Niagara

station and the Fallsview Casino Resort for passengers arriving on VIA

train 95.

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In addition to the Casino and award-winning wineries, the Niagara Region is also home to over 30 golf courses. A few popular vacation packages available to Niagara include:

Michael's Madness - A two-night stay at the charming Michael's Inn, including two full breakfasts per person, an all-day "step-on, step-off" tour of Niagara Falls including admission to Journey Behind the Falls, White Water Walk, Butterfly Conservatory, and Maid of the Mist. The package also includes round-trip travel from Toronto with VIA Rail in Comfort class and hotel transfers.

Vintage Shaw Getaway - A package for theatre lovers, it includes round trip travel from Toronto with VIA in Comfort class, transfers to Niagara-on- the-Lake, overnight accommodations, breakfast at one of the luxurious Vintage Inns' properties (Queen's Landing Inn, Pillar and Post, or The Prince of Wales) and a Shaw Festival performance.

Niagara Falls Getaway - A number of outstanding packages to choose from including family specials featuring round-trip travel with VIA and hotel accommodations.

Startours Niagara Falls Awesome Vacations - Awesome "Go any day, return any day" packages to Niagara Falls, including round-trip travel with VIA Rail and a variety of accommodation types to choose from.

Ways to Save with VIA

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In addition to this remarkable service and great Niagara packages, VIA has other great travel deals for summer travellers. Beginning with Saturday Savings - from June 3 through September 9, passengers can "half it both ways" when travelling within the Windsor to Quebec City Corridor. With VIA's Saturday Savings passengers travelling in Comfort Class (Economy) receive a 50% discount on trips where the regular, full Comfort Class fare is CAD $76 or less. For more information visit www.viarail.ca/saturday

From June 1 - September 15, 2006, those over 18 purchasing a senior, student, or adult-fare ticket in VIA's Comfort Class (Economy) can bring a child ages two - 11 for free. Available on every VIA train system-wide, the "Kids Travel Free" program makes it even more affordable to make travel with VIA part of a perfect family getaway. For more information and complete conditions visit www.viarail.ca/kids

Seniors can now bring a friend for free. VIA's Senior's Companion Fare allows passengers age 60 and over traveling in Comfort Class (Economy) to bring along a companion for free. In Comfort class (Economy) when you purchase your ticket at the regular senior's fare, you will be allowed one companion of any age to travel free. For VIA 1 and sleeper classes, your travel companion receives a 75% discount off the regular adult fare. For more information visit www.viarail.ca/2for1

With all there is to offer, why drive? With VIA's special services and travel deals "Taking the Train Makes Cents".

Customers can visit VIA's secure Web site at www.viarail.ca in "ways to save" for more information or to book their complete trip with one-stop shopping for trains, cars, hotels and activities. Train tickets are available at VIA stations across Canada, including self-service ticketing kiosks located at major stations in central Canada. Passengers can also book their tickets by calling 1-888-VIA-RAIL (1-888-842-7245) or through their travel agent.

For further information: VIA Rail Media Contacts: Catherine Kaloutsky, Corporate Communications, (416) 956-7683; Darrell Schuurman, Manager, Market Development, (416) 253-2414


2006-06-16