If you’re looking to save a bundle on a train trip this year, the clock is ticking.

The whopping 60-per-cent discount Via Rail Canada offered as a way to make up with passengers angered by a two-day strike that paralysed the rail line expires tomorrow night.

Via spokesperson Ashley Doyle said from Toronto commuters have until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time July 31 to take advantage of the massive discount, applicable to trips through Dec. 14.

The original deadline for discounted tickets was yesterday, but Via extended the promotion for 48 hours because an overwhelming response clogged the railway’s website, tied up phone lines for reserving tickets and resulted in long lineups at train stations.

Doyle confirmed the response to the deeply discounted tickets has been phenomenal.

“The website never crashed per se, but it was much slower than normal and as a result we did add bandwidth yesterday afternoon,” she said.

..
Source: Winnipeg Free Press, >>> continue reading