VIA Rail's Ocean /Halifax To Montreal

USPA NEWS - Since the resumption of VIA Rail Canada's Ocean service between Halifax and Montreal on August 11, 2021, USPA News has provided up to date coverage on  scheduling and the COVID-19 protocols that are in place. It was first reported that there would be one trip weekly from Halifax to Montreal and one trip between Montreal and Halifax. VIA Rail had also reported that they hoped to be able to resume full service providing three round trips per week by October 1st, however the most recent information on their website says that due to continuing concerns about COVID-19 full service will not be able to resume  until at least November 15, 2021.

UPDATE: September 13th, 2021. The latest information found  on  VIA Rail's  website says, "The Ocean is operating once per week between Halifax and Montreal. Due to COVID-19, we have had to make changes to our on-board services and overall experience." The statement goes on to say, "full inventory" is anticipated to resume for the route on November 15th, but the company will update customers closer to the date when it becomes clear what service will actually be possible based on the status of the pandemic."

VIA Rail's Ocean, previously known as the Ocean Limited, is thought to be the "oldest continuously operated named passenger train in North America."
During it's cancellation throughout the pandemic, the equipment used on the Ocean route went through a refurbishment which will add a fresh touch to the fleet.
The Ocean's route provides service to the following communities: Halifax, Truro, Amherst, Moncton, Miramichi, Bathurst, Campbellton, Matapedia, Mont-Joli, Rimouski, Rivière-du-Loup, Sainte Foy and Montreal. This journey covers 1,346 km and in Montreal, passengers are able to make connections with other trains for many destinations throughout Canada.

Since the resumption of the VIA Rail Ocean service, Atlantic Canadians once again are connected to the rest of the country through passenger rail service. The "Last Spike" was driven into the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) track by company director Donald Smith on November 7th 1885, which celebrated the completion of the Canadian Pacific transcontinental railway. Our forefathers worked tirelessly and with great sacrifice to build a railway network that would be a major asset in the building of a nation from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

During the process of covering the resumption of the Ocean service, I spoke with a gentleman who said that he has made at least twenty round trips between Halifax and Montreal on the Ocean over the years. I asked him why he chose the Ocean over other faster ways of completing the journey. He answered, "The geographical landscapes, the relaxed pace, meeting new people all with an interesting story, and the world class service by a staff that goes above and beyond the call of duty to help weave train travel into the fabric of our nation. Many others that I spoke with shared interesting stories and memories of the Ocean service. These stories are a testament to the deep roots that the Ocean passenger service has established within our region.

For questions, latest scheduling information and COVID-19 protocol visit; www.viarail.ca

Email: service@viarail.ca

Phone: 1-888-VIA-RAIL (1-888-842-7245)