Latest news with #VIArail
CTV News
27-06-2025
- CTV News
Here's how families are using the Canada Strong Pass
Jason Zachidniak visiting the Canadian Museum of History with his children on friday, June 27, 2025. (Peter Szperling/ CTV News Ottawa) As the school year winds down, get ready to pack your bags to hop on a train, visit a national park, or a museum – free for some, depending on age. Children aged 17 and under can visit several national museums in Ottawa for free this summer under the new Canada Strong Pass, and Via Rail has free or discounted passes too. As part of the Canada Strong Pass, children aged 17 and under can travel for free on VIA Rail when accompanied by an adult. There will be a 25 per cent discount for young adults aged 18 to 24. 'Today we're going to Toronto. So, my oldest grandson, who's 17, we used the pass for him. It was great,' said Barbara Ferguson, who is travelling to Toronto from Fallowfield Station on VIA rail. She estimates they saved 'about $250,' dollars on the trip because of the pass. 'I think it's great. Like it's a great way to travel. Yeah, it's a great idea, especially for the summer. Stay in Canada (and) see, our beautiful country,' said Cindy Gaul who is travelling with June Keon – who is celebrating her birthday with a trip to Toronto. 'As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail is proud to support the Canada Strong initiative,' said Via Rail in a written statement to CTV News. 'Since the program's launch on June 16, families and young Canadians have been steadily using it to make reservations on our trains and explore the country. By making travel in Canada more accessible, this partnership strengthens Canadian pride, supports local economies, and promotes sustainable, shared experiences across Canada's diverse communities.' Canada Strong Pass offers free admission for children aged 17 and under, and 50 per cent off admission fees for youth aged 18 to 24. 'I wouldn't have been able to hit the four museums that we went to,' said Jason Zachidniak, who is visiting from Montreal with his two children. 'I figured it was a good opportunity to educate my children.' Friday morning, he was at the Canadian Museum of History. 'We're really excited to be able to expand our audiences, and welcome people that may have not considered the museums in a long time,' said Stephanie Fortin, director of Commercial Operations with the Canadian Museum of History. 'We've noticed a pretty good increase in visitation,' said Jason Armstrong, director of visitor experience at the Canada Science and Technology Museum. 'About half of the people who walk in the front door know about it. And they've come specifically because they come with their families, and they have kids. And so, they know they're going to be free. And then about half still haven't heard about it. And when they find out, they're very pleasantly surprised.' Armstrong says that anyone with a membership will have it extended for an additional two months, which is 'a great opportunity for them to keep visiting even more.' 'That's great news. We'll get an extra two months. (The) girls love it here,' said a visitor with a membership. Canada Strong Pass offers free admission for children aged 17 and under, and 50 per cent off admission fees for youth aged 18 to 24. Participating museums Canada Agriculture and Food Museum Canada Aviation and Space Museum Canadian Museum of History Canadian Museum of Nature Canada Science and Technology Museum Canada War Museum National Gallery of Canada Free admission to Parks Canada facilities As part of the Canada Strong Pass, the federal government is offering free admission to places operated by Parks Canada from June 20 to Sept. 2. The venues include: Laurier House National Historic Site on Laurier Avenue East in Ottawa Fort Wellington National Historic Site in Prescott Rideau Canal National Historic Site Bellevue House National Historic Site in Kingston Thousand Islands National Park VIA Rail As part of the Canada Strong Pass, children aged 17 and under can travel for free on VIA Rail when accompanied by an adult. There will be a 25 per cent discount for young adults aged 18 to 24. For more information on the Canada Strong Pass, click here. Train Via Rail train arrives at Fallowfield Station on Friday, June 27, 2025. (Peter Szperling/ CTV News Ottawa) Canada Strong Pass The ticket counter at the Canadian Museum of History shows free admission for Children. Friday, June 27, 2025. (Peter Szperling/ CTV News Ottawa) With files from CTV News Ottawa's Josh Pringle
CTV News
26-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Alberta regional passenger rail planning continues
Alberta hosted a virtual information session Wednesday to discuss plans to have a rail network connecting Edmonton, Calgary, Banff, Lethbridge and more. A 'Master Rail Plan' that could chart out a regional passenger rail network across Alberta is months into its planning stage, but don't expect to be able to buy a ticket for more than a decade at minimum. The provincial government is currently hosting virtual information sessions about lofty ambitions that could see passenger trains running between Calgary to Edmonton, Banff, Lethbridge and more. 'The 15 year delivery plan will provide the framework for government to consider the different options towards the next steps in building passenger rail in Alberta,' Rob Lawson told a virtual session Tuesday night. Lawson is the acting assistant deputy minister involved in Alberta's passenger rail plan. Specific routes and potential costs are still unknown. Current sessions will consider actions governments can take decades down the road. 'It's not out of the realm of possibility that, even if government decided this fall that they wanted to invest in passenger rail and start implementing 30 year networks, and it might be 15 years before you're buying a ticket to ride on a train service,' said Chris Gentile, the director of passenger rail in Alberta. Former VIA Rail station, Calgary, June 25, 2025 The former VIA station in Calgary still exists near the Calgary Tower, though the platform is chained up and covered in graffiti. (Jordan Kanygin, CTV Calgary) Via Rail The last proper regional rail service for Calgary was VIA Rail, but the Calgary stop was cut in 1990 to save costs. VIA still operates routes in Alberta through Edmonton and Jasper. The former VIA station in Calgary still exists near the Calgary Tower, though the platform is chained up and covered in graffiti. 'VIA Rail terminated service in Calgary roughly around 1990. And a lot of the lessons learned still stand today. VIA Rail was very subsidized by the federal government, as it is today,' said David Cooper, a transit expert and mobility consultant. Any type of expanded regional rail in Alberta will need significant government involvement, Cooper adds, and current provincially-led exploration is a good first step. 'This is quite significant, actually,' Cooper said. 'When you look at how funding plays out with these big infrastructure projects across Canada, it's usually provincial governments and federal governments working together as the main funders of these overall projects. So having them involved in this makes it a lot more real.' In the virtual sessions about the outlook, provincial officials say high-speed trains are seriously being considered. 'I think a lot of people kind of get a bit pessimistic on high speed trains, but I think Alberta has reached the point where we have the population, we have the commuters, we have the amount of people who are ready and willing to pursue this a bit further,' said Justin Simaluk with the Rail for Alberta Society. Virtual sessions continue Wednesday and Thursday.
CTV News
23-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
O-Train running at reduced speeds as temperature soars above 30 C
An O-Train on Line 1 pulls into Bayview Station in this undated image. (Natalie van Rooy/CTV News Ottawa) Your train trip may be a little slower today, as both OC Transpo and VIA Rail implement speed restrictions due to the hot weather. A heat warning remains in effect for Ottawa today, with the temperature expected to hit 36 C. OC Transpo has temporary speed restrictions on O-Train Line 1, Line 2 and Line 4 due to the hot weather, the transit service tells CTV News Ottawa. OC Transpo says when the temperature climbs above 30 C, procedures are in place to safely run trains on above-round sections of the track. 'Safety is paramount and we take numerous precautions to ensure our trains and rail are protected during extreme temperatures,' OC Transpo says on its website. 'All railroads can experience sun kinks, and at OC Transpo we have procedures in place that allow us to safely operate the O-Train.' Sun kinks are when a piece of track warps, bends or buckles during the extreme heat. OC Transpo says slowing down the train on above-ground sections of the train will protect the trains and decrease the chances of sun kinks expanding and becoming worse. 'When the temperature drops below 30 degrees Celsius, trains will return to their normal speeds,' the transit service says. Maintenance staff will also be increasing inspections on Line 1, Line 2 and Line 4. VIA Rail VIA Rail is warning travellers may experience delays on trains operating from Ottawa to Montreal and Toronto due to the heat. The Crown corporation says delays are possible on all trains operating on the Windsor-Quebec City corridor. 'For safety purposes, the railway infrastructure owner could be forced to impose speed restrictions, which could result in delays at departure or on route,' VIA Rail said on X.
CTV News
17-06-2025
- CTV News
Canada Strong Pass opens doors to Halifax landmarks youth
Explore museums, galleries, historic landmarks, and more this summer with The Canada Strong Pass. Some of Halifax's most iconic landmarks are now more accessible to youth thanks to the newly launched Canada Strong Pass, which offers free or discounted admission to national sites and travel options across the country this summer. From June 20 until Sept. 2, Canadians aged 17 and under can enjoy free admission to places like the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Canadian Museum of Immigration. 'We're expecting a lot of first-time visitors in Halifax this summer and they usually want to come and see our signature tourism attractions, things like the museum of tourism,' said Sarah Reeves, a spokesperson for Discover Halifax. People aged 18 to 24 receive up to 50 per cent off admission at select museums and discounted travel on VIA Rail. No registration or physical pass is required. 'We know that Canadians are travelling domestically this year and they're feeling a little more patriotic so anything that removes a barrier to access our historic sites is great news,' said Reeves. The initiative includes access to national parks across the Maritimes, such as the Fundy National Park in New Brunswick, which offers hiking trails, waterfalls and views of the world's highest tides. The Canada Strong Pass is part of a federal initiative to promote travel, storytelling and cultural connection among youth. View Georges Island is viewed from the Second World War deck at Pier 21 during the inauguration of the Canadian Museum of Immigration in Halifax on Monday, Feb. 7, 2011. (Andrew Vaughan) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
16-06-2025
- CTV News
Here's what you need to know about the Canada Strong Pass in Ottawa and eastern Ontario
People visit the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa on Friday, July 16, 2021. (Sean Kilpatrick/THE CANADIAN PRESS) Children aged 17 and under will be able to visit several national museums in Ottawa for free this summer under the new Canada Strong Pass. The federal government announced the new Canada Strong Pass on Monday, giving families a chance to discover museums, national parks and camping spots this summer. Between June 20 and Sept. 2, children aged 17 and under will be able to visit national museums for free, while a 50 per cent discount will be available for young adults ages 18 to 24. Admission will also be free for all visitors to national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas administered by Parks Canada, and there will also a 25 per cent discount on camping fees. Children and young people under 18 will be able to travel for free on VIA Rail with an adult this summer. The federal government says no registration or physical pass is necessary to take advantage of the Canada Strong Pass. Here is a look at what you need to know about the Canada Strong Pass for attractions in Ottawa and eastern Ontario. Participating museums Canada Strong Pass offers free admission for children aged 17 and under, and 50 per cent off admission fees for youth aged 18 to 24. Canada Agriculture and Food Museum Canada Aviation and Space Museum Canadian Museum of History Canadian Museum of Nature Canada Science and Technology Museum Canada War Museum National Gallery of Canada Free admission to Parks Canada facilities As part of the Canada Strong Pass, the federal government is offering free admission to places operated by Parks Canada from June 20 to Sept. 2. The venues include: Laurier House National Historic Site on Laurier Avenue East in Ottawa Fort Wellington National Historic Site in Prescott Rideau Canal National Historic Site Bellevue House National Historic Site in Kingston Thousand Islands National Park VIA Rail As part of the Canada Strong Pass, children aged 17 and under can travel for free on VIA Rail when accompanied by an adult. There will be a 25 per cent discount for young adults aged 18 to 24. For more information on the Canada Strong Pass, click here.
