Via Rail restores full service between Windsor, Toronto

Via Rail passengers now have more options to get from Windsor to Toronto.

With the reintroductionof trains 78 and 79,service has been upgraded from threeto four Toronto-Windsor round tripsper day.

"From Windsor to Toronto, you're back to full service pre-COVID-19," said Vladimir Jean-Pierre, a senior manager for Via Rail's west corridor.

When the pandemic began,Via Rail suspended some routes.Over the last two years, it adjusted its train schedules in southwestern Ontario several times as COVID-19fluctuated.

Via Rail stopped operating Windsor's evening train, which departs at5:41 p.m., amid the Omicron variant.

But now, the restoration of full service is being welcomed by Chloe Lee and Michael Schifanelli, who are in a long-distance relationship.

Theevening train isconvenient for them it means they will get to spend a bit more time together, they said at the station on Thursday.

"We usually travel to Toronto and to Windsor because we're in a long distance relationship. Sometimes we like to stay for the later train, just because if one of us aregoing home, we want to spend as much time together as possible, so it's easier," saidLee.

They rely on the train, whatever service isscheduled,to get between the two cities.

"It just makes things a hundred per centmore convenient and easier to see each other and for longer too, so it's just better," said Schifanelli.