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When Transport Minister David Collenette attended VIA Rail Canada’s Oct. 29 Kitchener-to-Toronto service inauguration, he came with an announcement: The Kitchener station would receive a $222,000 investment in improvements.



The announcement is part of a major regional focus in the corporation’s $255 million capital investment program to revitalize passenger rail service.



Planned Kitchener improvements include new ticket counters, an expanded and renovated waiting area, improved access for people with disabilities, and parking lot and platform improvements.



"By making passenger rail a more convenient and attractive alternative to car travel, we are reinforcing our objective to encourage more people to travel by train — which continues to be one of the safest, most environmentally friendly modes of transportation available today," said Collenette at the inauguration, according to a prepared statement.

The new off-peak service leaves Kitchener at 10 a.m. and arrives in Toronto at 11:40 a.m.; on return, it leaves Toronto at 9 p.m., arriving at Kitchener at 10:40 p.m.