VIA Rail installs Williams as GM for Eastern Canada

VIA Rail Canada Inc. has named Susan Williams general manager for Eastern Canada. She will be responsible for services offered to communities served in the Maritimes and Eastern Quebec, as well as business development activities that build on partnerships initiated last year with local community representatives.

Most recently regional manager for Central Canada, Williams joined VIA Rail in 2006 as director of customer experience-East. She previously gained experience in the customer service field from hotels and call centers, VIA Rail officials said in a press release. Originally from Nova Scotia and to be based in Halifax, Williams will share time between the railroad's Halifax and Moncton offices, and oversee services provided along the Ocean route, they said.

"We have high hopes for Susan’s success in developing an enhanced offering for our Eastern communities,” said VIA Rail Chief Commercial Officer Martin Landry. "Her impressive career path in both the travel and customer service fields will help VIA Rail attain its service redefinition objectives."

The appointment follows a $10.2 million investment in the restoration of the Newcastle line and additional Ocean service departures during the holiday season that support the implementation of targeted strategies for building traffic and improving customer service, VIA Rail officials said.

"We would like to see VIA Rail as one of the foremost options considered by everyone in the region for inter-city travel, as well as for going elsewhere in the country," said Landry. "We intend to continue our efforts to better meet our customers’ needs and align our services with schedules of local events."