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[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading 3/31/20
 

Rocky Mountaineer suspends train departures

 

 

The 2020 opening date of the Rocky Mountaineer passenger-rail service between Vancouver, British Columbia, and the Canadian Rockies has been postponed until July 1 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The train's travel season was scheduled to open April 13.

 

Riders who've booked trips prior to the new opening date will receive a future travel credit for 110 percent of the value paid, which can be applied to a new departure in the 2020, 2021 or 2022 travel seasons, railroad officials said in a press release.

 

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[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading 5/18/20

 

Rocky Mountaineer extends rail-service suspension

 

 

The Rocky Mountaineer passenger-rail service between Vancouver, British Columbia, and the Canadian Rockies has further postponed its 2020 opening date until July 31 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

The train’s travel season originally was scheduled to open April 13, and was later postponed until July 1. 

 

An extended suspension of service is necessary because of numerous travel restrictions, airlines having limited flight availability and many of Rocky Mountaineer’s operational partners having suspended their services, Rocky Mountaineer officials said in a press release.

 

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[CNJRoss]

Rocky Mountaineer press release

 

Rocky Mountaineer Suspends Rail Departures Until July 31  

 

05/14/2020

 

 

Vancouver, BC – May 14, 2020: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated government restrictions, Rocky Mountaineer will extend the suspension of its 2020 travel season until July 31, 2020. This suspension is in addition to the previously announced suspended departures from April 13 to June 30.

 

“It is with much regret that we announce this extension of our travel suspension,” said Steve Sammut, president and chief executive officer, Rocky Mountaineer. “With numerous travel restrictions in place globally, airlines having limited flight availability, many of our operational partners having suspended their services, and other challenges, it has become impossible for us to start our operations in July.”

 

Guests on a suspended departure will receive a future travel credit of 110% value of monies paid, which is valid through to the end of the 2022 season. Rocky Mountaineer is also holding its 2021 rail prices at the 2020 level, so guests will not experience an inflationary price increase for the rail portion of their itinerary. For guests rebooking a similar package in 2021, within 14 days on either side of the original departure date anniversary, Rocky Mountaineer will guarantee they will not pay more for the new package, including third-party hotels, tours and attractions, due to the later travel date.

 

“We are incredibly disappointed to not be able to start our travel season as planned. This global pandemic is truly unprecedented, and we continue to evaluate how it will impact our operations. We hope by offering the future travel credit, consistent rail pricing, flexibility with rebooking, and package rebooking guarantee we can make it as seamless as possible for our guests to plan their future travel,” said Mr. Sammut. “Rocky Mountaineer is committed to providing these guests with a world-class experience at a time when the global circumstances permit and it is possible to do so.”

 

Guests on a suspended departure can contact their travel professional or Rocky Mountaineer before November 30, 2021 to select their new travel date.

 

Additional information is available at www.rockymountaineer.com/covid19-keeping-you-updated.

 

*These offers are subject to terms and conditions as outlined at www.rockymountaineer.com

 

 

[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading 7/23/20

 

Rocky Mountaineer suspends remainder of 2020 season

 

 

Rocky Mountaineer will suspend its excursion passenger-rail service between Vancouver, British Columbia, and the Canadian Rockies through Oct. 11 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and government travel restrictions. 

 

“We are incredibly disappointed to announce the suspension of our rail operations through to the end of the 2020 season

 

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[CNJRoss]

Rocky Mountaineer news release

 

Rocky Mountaineer suspends remainder of 2020 season due to pandemic  

 

07/22/2020

 

 

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and continued government travel and health restrictions, Rocky Mountaineer will suspend the remainder of its 2020 travel season to include all departures through to October 11, 2020.  

 

“We are incredibly disappointed to announce the suspension of our rail operations through to the end of the 2020 season. Like so many in the tourism and hospitality industry, the pandemic has had an overwhelmingly negative impact on our business,” said Steve Sammut, president and chief executive officer. “Despite the challenging environment, we remained hopeful we would be able to operate our trains at some point this season. However, given the continuing government travel and health restrictions, we have no choice but to postpone our rail tours until the scheduled start of our 2021 season.” 

 

To the guests affected by this suspension, Rocky Mountaineer remains committed to providing their rail tour experience when it is possible and appropriate to do so. Guests on a suspended departure will receive a future travel credit of 110% value of monies paid, which is valid through to the end of the 2022 season. The rail prices for 2021 and 2022 are being held at the 2020 level, so guests will not experience an inflationary price increase for the rail portion of their itinerary. For guests rebooking a similar package in 2021, within 14 days on either side of the original departure date anniversary, Rocky Mountaineer will guarantee they will not pay more for the new package, including third-party hotels, tours and attractions, due to the later travel date. Guests on a suspended departure can contact their travel professional or Rocky Mountaineer before November 30, 2021 to select their new travel date. Additional information is available at www.rockymountaineer.com/covid19-keeping-you-updated. 
  
“We know this has been an exceptionally challenging time for our guests, partners and team members, and we thank them for their patience and continued support,” said Sammut. “In the coming months, we will work with our guests and travel partners to rebook their travels from this year, and then shift our focus to our 2021 season. When we do operate our trains, the health and safety of our guests and team members will be at the forefront, while still continuing to provide the superb service for which we are known.” 

 

Rocky Mountaineer has made a number of modifications across its operations to align with government guidelines and industry best practices for the prevention of COVID-19 and other viruses and illnesses. These will include pre-travel health screening of guests, modifications to boarding and seating procedures to ensure space between travel groups, and enhanced sanitization of all rail cars using electrostatic disinfectant sprayers. In addition, the rail cars are equipped with air filtration systems that ensure a constant intake and circulation of fresh air, using filters that capture 99.9% of airborne particles. An overview of these modifications is available at https://www.rockymou...fety-procedures.  

 

These offers are subject to terms and conditions as outlined at www.rockymountaineer.com.

 

 

[CNJRoss]

Railway Age, 7/7/22

 

Rocky Mountaineer Bounces Back from Pandemic Shutdown

 

 

While the overall transportation sector struggles to find a new normal following the extreme disruption of pandemic lockdowns, customer levels have strongly rebounded to 85% of pre-pandemic levels for North American private rail-tour operator Rocky Mountaineer.

 

“We are thankful for our guests choosing to travel with Rocky Mountaineer and we look forward to welcoming them onboard our trains to experience incredible, memorable journeys with some of the best scenery North America has to offer,” the company’s new CEO David McKenna told Railway Age July 7.

 

McKenna, with a background in Rocky Mountain tourism development, assumed company leadership in January 2022. New capital was also recruited as the business gasped for breath amid Canada’s erratic and sometimes extreme regime of social and economic restrictions. Even now, Rocky Mountaineer’s Canadian passengers must remain masked except when eating or drinking, even though the cars’ air conditioning removes 99.9% of airborne viruses and bacteria.

 

 

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