Communication Channels: VIA Rail Communicating in Today's Market

In today's market VIA Rail communicates to consumers in numerous ways, including the following: Website, E-newsletters, onsite at the various VIA Rail train stations throughout Canada and the customer service toll-free line.

Web - Information at your Finger Tips:

• Web text is available in English and/or French, the officially languanges of Canada. This ensures consumers can understand and gather information; without language barriers affecting the communication process.
• Easy to navigate and easily accessible information. Book a trip, cancel a booking, inquiry about fares and packages or look-up train locations and stations effortlessly.
• Secured site, which increases consumer confidence. Book and pay on-line with a credit card.

E-Newsletters - Keeping Consumers Up to Date:

• Continuous communication to engage the market and keep them interested; providing them information about new promotions or services that may interest them.
  (IE: VIA's Charter Car Service - Chartered car service offering tailored travel experiences for large groups. VIA Rail will allow an organization or company to book a single car or entire train if required). This is important for large companies that may require frequent travels within Canada; this will provide them with a quiet and secure place for business meetings and negotiations.

On-Site - Fast and Friendly Service:

• French and/or English speaking staff awaiting your call to assist your needs.
• Clear and easy to understand prompts to direct your call; ensuring effective and efficient communication.
• Long hours of operation - Monday to Friday: 7 a.m to 9 p.m and Saturday - Sunday: 8:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m. Ensure that all questions and inquires can be answered in a timely manner.

VIA Rail communicates in an effective and efficient manner; they stay up to date and keep their consumers informed. I have travelled with VIA Rail in the past and have found it easy to navigate on-site; this is especially important to any traveller to a foreign destination. I found the E-newsletter extremely informative and important for all future travellers to ensure they get the most of there trip. There website was easy to navigate and not only showed information about VIA Rail and its services but destination tips and mpas. Their toll-free specialists were also friendly and responded to all questions with much enthusiasm.


Sources:


Guffey, M. E., Rhodes, K., & Rogin, P. (2008). Business communication: Process and product (6th Canadian ed.). Scarborough, ON: Nelson


VIA Rail Canada Inc. (1995-2012). VIA rail: A human way to travel. Retrieved from http://www.viarail.ca