VIA Rail Canada has announced the success of the winter edition of the Canada Strong Pass, which ran from 12 December 2025 to 15 January 2026. The initiative, aimed at making travel more accessible, offered free travel for children and teens aged 17 and under when accompanied by an adult, and discounted fares for youth aged 18 to 24. This programme encouraged thousands of Canadians to explore the country during the peak travel season, supporting local tourism and allowing families to reconnect.
The winter edition of the Canada Strong Pass resulted in more than 24,000 bookings and over 21 million kilometres travelled, saving Canadians over $19 million (US Dollars) through free and discounted fares. Mathieu Paquette, Lead Executive of VIA Rail, noted, “The winter edition of the Canada Strong Pass once again demonstrated how meaningful accessible rail travel can be for Canadians.”
The programme highlighted Canadians’ growing interest in sustainable travel, with routes such as Montréal to Halifax and Toronto to Vancouver showcasing the country’s winter beauty. Jonathan Goldbloom, Chairperson of VIA Rail’s Board of Directors, expressed pride in the programme’s success, stating, “The continued success of the Canada Strong Pass reflects both the strength of the programme and Canadians’ growing desire to rediscover their country in an environmentally responsible way.”
As Canada’s national passenger rail service, VIA Rail continues to strengthen connections between communities and support local economies, promoting accessible and sustainable travel across the country.
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