Amtrak has announced that the Maple Leaf train to Toronto was restored to service beginning June 27 in cooperation with VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail), NYSDOT and other government organizations.
Tickets are now available for purchase on Amtrak.com, the Amtrak app, at ticket counters and kiosks, and by calling 1-800- USA-RAIL. In addition, Canadian citizens can purchase tickets on ViaRail.ca and by calling 1-888- VIA-RAIL.
“Amtrak is delighted to welcome passengers back on board the Maple Leaf, connecting New York City and upstate New York with Toronto and Ontario,” said Amtrak Executive Vice President, Marketing and Revenue, Chief Commercial Officer Roger Harris.
“On board the Maple Leaf, customers can experience some of the best views in the country through the beautiful Hudson River Valley, New York’s wine country, and the incredible gorges of the Finger Lakes region, before crossing the US/Canadian border near the dramatic spectacle of Niagara Falls.”
This new service includes free Wi-Fi, a café car, business class seats, and the ability to bring small pets on board.
“The return of this vital rail connection is welcome news not just for passengers who love to travel, but for countless businesses across New York State and Canada who make it possible for visitors to experience the best of what every locality has to offer,” New York State Transportation Secretary Marie Therese Dominguez said
Michael Acosta, VIA Rail’s Senior Director, Commercial Affairs, also added: “After two years of pandemic, people are eager to travel again this summer, and the Maple Leaf experience allows passengers on both sides of the border to book a beautiful vacation and travel beyond Toronto on VIA Rail trains that can connect them right across Canada.”
Currently, non-U.S. citizens must be fully vaccinated with approved COVID -19 vaccines to enter the United States. To enter Canada, non-Canadians must also be fully vaccinated, and they also must wear masks in Canadian stations and on trains while traveling through Canada.
The use of the ArriveCAN app within 72 hours of arrival is also mandatory.