The government of Canada and VIA Rail has announced an unprecedented offer for military personnel, veterans and their families of a 25 per cent year-round discount off the best available fare.
“We are pleased to honour our Forces members by offering this exclusive year-round discount,” said Perth Wellington MP Gary Schellenberger, the chairman of the standing committee on veterans affairs. “This underscores the contributions members of Canada’s military and its veterans have made to our country since its earliest days.”
Starting this month, the offer applies to all classes of VIA service, including economy, business, and sleeper. The 25 per cent discount off the best available fare has no route or date restrictions. Forces’ members and veterans who qualify may be accompanied by up to five additional family members.
Those family members will be eligible for the same discount if they travel on the same trains, dates, and in the same classes as the Forces’ members or veterans. Proper identification will be required to be eligible for the offer and some conditions may apply.
VIA Rail Canada’s mandate is to provide efficient, environmentally sustainable and cost-effective passenger transportation – in both official languages.
The offer is valid for any passenger 18 years of age or older who has at least one of the following forms of identification plus, if needed, one additional piece of photo identification:
– a DND ID card for National Defence (NDI 20);
– a Record of Service Card (NDI 75);
– any Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) benefit card;
– a discharge certificate from any branch of the Canadian Military;
– statement of service from any branch of the Canadian Military;
– a certificate of service (CF 54 or CF 75) from any branch of the Canadian Military; or a
– valid DND temporary ID card (NDI 10).
The qualifying family member must present specified identification at any time upon request by a VIA employee.
Family members may include the qualifying member’s spouse or partner (including common law), minor or dependent children (including children for whom the qualifying member is a legal guardian), parents, grand parents, great-grand parents, grand children, or great-grand children.
The offer is applicable to new bookings made as of Nov. 1. Tickets must be purchased according to the conditions and restrictions of the fare plan to which the additional 25% discount is applied.
The offer is valid on all VIA trains and between all VIA stations in Canada. The offer is valid in all classes.
Bookings are subject to the conditions and restrictions of the fare plan to which the additional 25% discount is applied.
Refunds and exchanges for qualifying members’ tickets will only be processed if companion tickets issued with it are processed at the same time.
The offer cannot be combined with any other fare or discount which requires a discount code to qualify. It cannot be combined with tickets issued using a rail pass or employee rail pass, group tickets, VIA Préférence reward tickets, charter car fare tickets or tickets issued by a tour operator.
Tickets must be booked in advance of travel. The offer is not applicable to tickets purchased on board a VIA train.
Minimum fares after the application of the discount and other conditions may apply.
The offer is subject to change without notice.
Forces members and veterans can book on line. They should log in to their profile or create one prior to booking; book a one-way or round trip ticket in the preferred class and fare; and on the Passenger Information screen, select “Other special discounts” as the “Discount Type,” and enter “12070” as the “Discount Code.” No serial number is required. The price of the ticket will be adjusted automatically if the trip meets all of the conditions of this fare plan.
To book by telephone or at a VIA station advise the VIA agent that you wish to use discount code “12070” prior to the agent booking your travel.
