It’s official.
Early morning VIA Rail passenger service from Belleville to Toronto is returning.
VIA announced Monday the new 641 early-morning frequency will be introduced on May 27, operating between Ottawa and Toronto from Monday to Thursday.
It will include stops in Kingston, Belleville, Cobourg and Port Hope and arrive in Toronto before 9 a.m.
The service will leave Belleville at 6:18 a.m.
Bay of Quinte MP Ryan Williams stated last week that VIA assured him an announcement about the return of the service would be coming soon.
A train that ran between Kingston and Toronto, with stops in the Quinte region, was cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
VIA President and Chief Executive Officer Mario Péloquin says passengers and stakeholders have emphasized the significance of early-morning VIA Rail services for their communities, and the company took great care to listen and act on the feedback.
Over the coming months, VIA Rail will be closely monitoring the public response to this new early-morning departure and will implement adjustments as necessary, based on ridership and actual use.
In addition, Train 644, currently offering three midday departures a week between Toronto and Ottawa, will now be offered every day starting May 27.
VIA says passengers can start booking their trips on these new departures as soon as April 29.
