
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 30, 2026 – VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) has welcomed Fresh Tracks Canada, a prominent Canadian tour operator, as a new tenant at its Pacific Central Station in Vancouver for the next decade. The presence of Fresh Tracks and around 75 of its staff marks a transformation in VIA Rail’s key travel hubs, which are evolving into lively community destinations.
“Inviting Fresh Tracks Canada into our historic station showcases the success of VIA Rail’s investments in turning Pacific Central Station into a more accessible and inviting space for partners and local businesses,” stated Mathieu Paquette, Lead Executive at VIA Rail. “We are pleased to collaborate with partners such as Fresh Tracks, who share our view that stations are not just transit points, but local centers for connectivity and commerce.”
As Fresh Tracks sets up its offices at Pacific Central Station, the over 100-year-old landmark station continues to serve the region in novel ways. Designated as a Heritage Railway Station in 1991, the terminal’s original Neoclassical Revivalist architecture from 1919 has been preserved along with modern amenities like dining, retail, and other services. A terminal for iconic railway lines such as The Canadian and Amtrak Cascades, the station remains a crucial multi-modal gateway for the western area.
This news follows VIA Rail’s ongoing investment in its nationwide network of heritage stations, aligning with its VIAction 2030 plan commitments. Pacific Central Station alone has seen over $8 million in upgrades in the past two years, including HVAC, structural supports, automated building systems and controls, as well as revitalized office spaces. Similar upgrades are occurring at several other heritage VIA Rail stations, all aimed at enhancing accessibility, comfort, and vibrancy for passengers and the local community.
“Opening our spaces to partners such as Fresh Tracks is precisely how we envisioned the next phase for Pacific Central Station,” remarked Shant Demirdjian, Manager of Leasing and Real Estate at VIA Rail. “Beyond just occupying office space, we’re curating a variety of services and experiences to make the station more appealing each day. We anticipate welcoming more partners that will contribute to a lasting, positive presence of the station in the Vancouver community.”
These investments illustrate VIA Rail’s dedication to preserving Canada’s rich railway heritage by maintaining historic stations and transforming them into modern gateways that connect communities and unite Canadians for future generations.
About VIA Rail
VIA Rail Canada’s mission is to operate the national passenger rail service on behalf of the Government of Canada, providing a safe, accessible, efficient, reliable, sustainable, and environmentally responsible service that meets the needs of Canadian passengers. VIA Rail operates intercity trains linking over 400 communities across Canada and ensuring rail transportation services to regional and remote communities. The corporation safely transported over four million passengers in 2024 and has received nine Safety Awards and three Environment Awards from the Railway Association of Canada. For more, visit our website: .
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SOURCE VIA Rail Canada Inc.