VIA Rail Canada x PriestmanGoode unveil new Corridor fleet

VIA Rail Canada launched the first test train set of its new fleet in London, on 18 January 2022. The new fleet that will serve the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor, Canada which features interior design by award-winning transportation design consultancy PriestmanGoode. The passenger rail, inaugurated by President and CEO Cynthia Garneau in Ottawa includes new and innovative details to provide an advanced experience. The fleet is a building block of VIA Rail's modernisation program which will help to create the VIA Rail of tomorrow. “VIA Rail’s Fleet Replacement Program is a pillar of our modernisation plan which will redefine how Canadians travel, and the unveiling of this first train set marked a milestone in our journey,” says Cynthia Garneau, President and CEO of VIA Rail Canada.

VIA Rail’s train has been designed in a way to optimise customer experience in terms of comfort and personal space. Fully accessible and barrier-free, the cars offer onboard wheelchair lifts, five Mobility Aid Spaces (MAS) per train set, large accessible washrooms, braille, and embossed signage to provide an inclusive experience to all its passengers. The colour palette, materials, and finishes uphold the VIA Rail Canada’s reputation. “VIA Rail’s customers will enjoy bespoke seats, available privacy pods, modern lighting, and a host of features to make their travel more comfortable and productive while enjoying the stunning Canadian scenery only train travel can provide,” shares Garneau.

Along with the interiors, PriestmanGoode has also designed the livery of the fleet featuring Canada's emblematic Maple leaf, drawing on the country’s rich history of bold graphic design. Each locomotive has been designed to feature a distinctive nose detail created by the industrial design team at PriestmanGoode. The detail adds to the visual impact as the new train sets arrive against the Canadian landscapes. "Our goal was to deliver a design that represents a new icon for transportation in Canada. The new interiors, as well as the livery and nose design - all acknowledge the unique role that transport design can play as an emblem of a city or country,” says Paul Priestman, designer and chairman of PriestmanGoode.

From the lavatories to the kitchen, the train sets have been designed to build an atmosphere of well being and comfort. All galleys are equipped with branded carts, to ensure that VIA Rail is able to provide appropriate meal services. In the restrooms touches of Canadian maple ensure that natural materials are represented within the interiors alongside branded panels. The seats were built from the ground up to offer optimum comfort for the passengers. All seats have access to tables and charging points. The Business Class cabins come with pods that have raised partitions to provide added privacy and efficiency on board. “Transport is fundamental to how we experience our environment, both as locals and as tourists. VIA Rail Canada has earned a reputation for listening to passengers and building their requirements into their service proposition. This focus on people matches our own dedication to human-centred design in all of our projects,” concludes Priestman.