WCR Ticket & Travel Policies & Covid-19 Safety Requirements
General Policies
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The WCR makes every effort to provide a safe and comfortable trip for everyone with reduced mobility on our trains. We operate heritage railway equipment that was designed and built to a different standard that does not in many cases provide anyway to alter the heritage railway equipment to today’s accessibility standards.
We will make every effort to assist anyone with reduced mobility, so they are able to travel with us. Despite these efforts, we do not have the ability at this time to lift a wheelchair into the vestibule of a coach with the guest still seated in it. If our guest can be assisted out of the chair and into the coach, we will be able to help with boarding and disembarking from the train
To benefit from these services, we suggest that you make a request in advance by email at least a day before the day of travel to [email protected]. If you are speech-impaired, please bring written instructions to inform our volunteers of your needs.
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As a result of COVID-19 the WCR has adapted with various changes affecting our operation and is adhering to the following:
- All ticket sales must be purchased online prior to boarding the train. All ticket sales will remain live online until train departure time. There are no sales on the train at this time.
- All sales are final. There are no refunds on ticket purchases. Customers will receive a full refund if the operator cancels service due to unforeseen circumstances.
- All trains depart at the specified time – please arrive at least 10 minutes early for all trains. There are no refunds for missed trains.
- Fares are for a round trip ticket from the point of departure.
- We do not offer senior discounts or accept coupons of any type at this time or Access 2 Cards.
- Unfortunately, the WCR does not permit pets to travel on the train with the exception of guide, support and comfort dogs. For further details on booking a train trip with either, please see our Accessibility information further in the section.
- With the exception of bottled water no food or drink is permitted on the train.
- Due to the heritage nature of our rail equipment we reserve the right to substitute rail equipment without prior notification due to operational requirements.
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The WCR does not permit any pets to travel in our railway cars. This policy does not apply to service and support dogs. For this policy, please see the next section.
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All service and guide dogs are welcome on board. But before your trip, please read the following to make sure that both you and your dog have a smooth travel experience.
Please note that the following policy applies only to guide dogs, service and emotional support dogs.
Please contact us at [email protected] at least one day prior to the day of travel to let us know you’ll be bringing your dog on board so we can make the appropriate accommodations.
You may be required to produce documentation indicating that your dog has been certified by an accredited institution to work as a guide or service dog.
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If you are travelling on a WCR train with your emotional support dog for the first time, you must do the following:
- Provide a signed medical certificate from a licensed medical doctor or mental health professional (e.g., a psychiatrist or psychologist).
- Ensure the medical certificate states that you cannot travel alone without an emotional support dog.
- Ensure the medical certificate is dated no more than one year prior to the date of travel, unless it states that functional limitation is permanent and have it available at the time of travel with us.
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We currently do not require vaccinations or face masks to ride the train. We will continue to follow Transport Canada domestic rail travel protocols and will adjust our policy if revised protocols come into effect.
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Face masks are not required. You are welcome to continue to wear face masks if you feel more comfortable.
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The WCR will continue to follow all legislative and public health measures relating to COVID-19 to keep our volunteers and passengers safe.
To date we have followed the Transport Canada domestic rail travel protocols for face masks and vaccinations. At present, we no longer require proof of vaccination, nor the wearing of masks for our passengers while aboard our trains.
Updated: October 19, 2022
Vaccination Policies
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The WCR will require all passengers age 12 and over be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination upon boarding the train if requested.
As there is not a COVID-19 vaccination approved for those under 12 years of age, that group will not be required for this age group to travel with us. Ages 2 and above will be required however to wear a facemask as outlined further in this policy.
Individuals with a medical condition that does not permit a vaccination must provide an official medical certificate along with an identification card (with or without a photo). The medical certificate must meet the following criteria:
- Clearly indicates the passenger’s full name
- Specifies that the person has a medical condition (unrelated to COVID-19 or any other infectious illness) or a disability that prevents them from being vaccinated for COVID-19. For example: “First name, Last name, cannot be vaccinated due to medical or physical condition unrelated to COVID-19 or any other infectious condition.”
– The nature of the medical condition preventing you from wearing the mask does not have to be stated on the certificate and does not have to be disclosed - Has been dated and issued by a healthcare provider on official letterhead with provider’s full name, license number, and phone number.
Individuals who cannot be vaccinated and meet the aforementioned requirements will be permitted to board the train with a valid antigen COVID-19 test administered within 48 hours of the train departure time and provide proof of a negative test at the time of boarding.
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For your safety, all on board volunteers and staff will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or if they are unable to be vaccinated for a valid medical reason with supporting medical documentation will be required to provide a negative antigen COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours prior to reporting for duty or take a rapid COVID-19 test at the beginning of their duty day. Children ages 2 to 12 years of age are not required to provide a negative test.
Mask Policies
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All passengers, volunteers and staff must wear a mask at all times in our stations and on board our trains, except temporarily when eating or drinking (you must put the mask back on immediately afterward).
Young children under the age of two are exempt from this preventive measure. Individuals with a medical condition or disability that makes it difficult to wear a mask are also exempt, as long as they present an official medical certificate and an ID (with or without a photo).
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Individuals with a medical condition or disability that makes it difficult to wear a mask must provide an official medical certificate along with an identification card (with or without a photo). The medical certificate must meet the following criteria:
- Clearly indicates the passenger’s full name
- Specifies that the person has a medical condition (unrelated to COVID-19 or any other infectious illness) or a disability that prevents them from wearing a mask correctly. For example: “First name, Last name, cannot wear a mask while travelling due to medical or physical condition unrelated to COVID-19 or any other infectious condition.”
– The nature of the medical condition preventing you from wearing the mask does not have to be stated on the certificate and does not have to be disclosed - Has been dated and issued by a healthcare provider on official letterhead with provider’s full name, license number, and phone number
Please note that the medical certificate may only be signed by a healthcare provider who is a member of a professional order with a license number such as a physician, nurse practitioner, dentist, physical assistant, physiotherapist, optometrist, psychologist, ophthalmologist or a psychiatrist.
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For your protection and well-being and that of our volunteers and staff, you are required to wear a medical mask, a non-medical mask, or a face covering made with multiple layers of tightly woven material (e.g., cotton or linen). It must be large enough to cover your nose, your mouth and your chin completely, without gaps, and be secured to the face with ties or ear loops.
Not allowed: Single-layer masks, scarves, neck gators or bandanas, masks with exhalation valves and plastic masks will not be accepted, as they do not provide the level of protection required to limit the spread of the virus. Face shields may only be used in addition to a mask.
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As masks are mandated by Transport Canada, failure to comply with these requirements will be considered misconduct that may result in sanctions and/or denial of boarding.
Passengers who cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition or disability must provide an official medical certificate along with an identification card (with or without a photo).
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No. Masks must be worn at all times in our stations, WCR property and on board our trains, except briefly when eating or drinking.
On Board Our Trains
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Our train volunteers will seat you upon boarding and we will do everything possible to keep families together. Most coach seats are in groups of four with a very few in a group of two. First Class Lounge seas are in groups of two. There may be a chance you could be seated in a group of four with other passengers, but we will do everything possible to avoid this circumstance and seat families together.
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You may ask a train crew volunteer if you can change seats. They’ll do their best to accommodate your request if space is available.
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No food or drink, with the exception of bottled water, will be permitted on the train.
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Each round trip on the train is slightly less than 2 hours in duration. We advise all passengers to use facilities prior to boarding. Should the need present itself while on the train, please see a volunteer crew member who will assist you to a washroom.
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All hard surfaces in our cars, including vestibules, washrooms, tables, armrests, and doors are cleaned thoroughly every day.