Exhibit 99.1

News release via Canada NewsWire, Toronto 416-863-9350

	    Attention Business/Financial Editors:
	    Vitran reports 2009 first quarter results

	    <<
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    REMINDER:
	    Vitran management will conduct a conference call and webcast tomorrow,
	    April 23, at 11:00 a.m. ET, to discuss the Company's 2009 first quarter
	    results
	    Conference call dial-in: 1-800-732-1073 or 416-644-3419 (International)
	    Live Webcast: www.vitran.com (select "Investor Relations")
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    >>

	    TORONTO, April 22 /CNW/ - Vitran Corporation Inc. (NASDAQ: VTNC, TSX:
VTN), a North American transportation and logistics firm, today announced
financial results for the first quarter of 2009, the three-month period ended
March 31, 2009 (all figures reported in $U.S.).
	    Vitran reported a net loss of $2.4 million, or $0.17 per diluted share,
on revenues of $139.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. In the
comparable 2008 three-month period, the Company achieved net income of $1.1
million, or $0.08 per diluted share on revenue of $177.5 million. The
fluctuation in fuel surcharge and foreign exchange on Vitran's Canadian
operations accounted for $22 million of the revenue decline for the first
quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008.
	    "The economic environment put enormous pressure on activity levels and
margins in the first quarter of 2009 compared to 2008. Although Vitran posted
a loss for the first quarter of 2009, it was a sequential quarterly
improvement compared to the fourth quarter of 2008," stated Vitran President
and Chief Executive Officer Rick Gaetz.
	    "Our U.S. LTL operating integration was substantially completed in the
fourth quarter of 2008 and started to bear fruit in the current quarter. Costs
were taken out of the operation and inter-regional sales opportunities
materialized as we predicted.
	    "The economic environment remains very demanding, but we continue to
modify our LTL operating structure to reduce costs and expand Vitran's market
share. We are experiencing sequential improvements in daily activity levels
every month this year. Our Logistics business performed well in the quarter
despite continued downward pressures on the North American retail economy.
	    "Our Logistics segment commenced a new 200,000 sqft dedicated
distribution facility in California supporting a long standing client of the
Company's. This increases the total square footage under management to over 2
million square feet. The launch was successful and we look forward to the new
business contributing to our financial results in the months ahead," concluded
Mr. Gaetz.

	    Segmented Results

	    The LTL (less-than-truckload) segment posted a loss from operations for
the 2009 first quarter of $2.7 million, with an OR (operating ratio) of 102.3%
compared to income from operations of $2.1 million and an OR of 98.6% in the
comparable period a year ago. In the comparable first quarters shipments and
tonnage declined 13% and 14% respectively in the LTL segment. More
importantly, the LTL segment posted a positive operating ratio of 99.5% for
the month of March 2009.
	    Vitran Logistics posted income from operation of $0.4 million and an OR
of 97.4% in the first quarter of 2009 compared to income from operations of
$0.7 million and OR of 96.4% in the first quarter of 2008. The Truckload
segment achieved income from operations during the three-month period of
$192,000, compared to $379,000 in 2008, and the TL OR was 97.6%, compared to
an OR of 95.5% in the prior year period.

	    About Vitran Corporation Inc.

	    Vitran Corporation Inc. is a North American group of transportation
companies offering less-than-truckload, logistics, truckload, and freight
brokerage services. To find out more about Vitran Corporation Inc.
(NASDAQ:VTNC, TSX:VTN), visit the website at www.vitran.com.

	    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and
applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements may be
generally identifiable by use of the words "believe", "anticipate", "intend",
"estimate", "expect", "project", "may", "plans", "continue", "will", "focus
should" "endeavor" or the negative of these words or other variations on these
words or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are based on
current expectations and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in
circumstances that may cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
	    Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause Vitran's actual results,
performance or achievements to differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences include,
but are not limited to, technological change, increases in fuel costs,
regulatory changes, the general health of the economy, seasonal fluctuations,
unanticipated changes in railroad capacities, exposure to credit risks,
changes in labour relations and competitive factors. More detailed information
about these and other factors is included in the annual MD&A on Form 10K under
the heading "General Risks and Uncertainties." Many of these factors are
beyond the Company's control; therefore, future events may vary
	    substantially from what the Company currently foresees. You should not
place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Vitran Corporation
Inc. does not assume the obligation to revise or update these forward-looking
statements after the date of this document or to revise them to reflect the
occurrence of future unanticipated events, except as may be required under
applicable securities laws.

	    <<
	                               (tables follow)

	                           Vitran Corporation Inc.
	                         Consolidated Balance Sheets
	               (in thousands of United States dollars, US GAAP)

	                                                Mar. 31, 2009  Dec. 31, 2008
	                                                   (unaudited)      (audited)
	    Assets
	    Current assets:
	      Accounts receivable                          $    65,808   $    65,741
	      Inventory, deposits and prepaid expenses          11,751        12,063
	      Income and other taxes receivable                  1,456           792
	      Deferred income taxes                              1,935         1,877
	                                                  ------------- -------------
	                                                        80,950        80,473

	    Property and equipment                             147,686       152,602
	    Intangible assets                                   12,648        13,279
	    Goodwill                                            16,880        17,057
	    Deferred income taxes                               32,631        30,181
	                                                  ------------- -------------
	                                                   $   290,795   $   293,592
	                                                  ------------- -------------
	                                                  ------------- -------------

	    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
	    Current liabilities:
	      Bank overdraft                               $     1,845   $     3,912
	      Accounts payable and accrued liabilities          63,477        63,495
	      Current portion of long-term debt                 17,464        16,925
	                                                  ------------- -------------
	                                                        82,786        84,332

	    Long-term debt                                      95,543        93,477
	    Other                                                4,089         4,540

	    Shareholders' equity:
	      Common shares                                     77,500        77,500
	      Additional paid-in capital                         3,759         3,525
	      Retained earnings                                 30,897        33,253
	      Accumulated other comprehensive loss              (3,779)       (3,035)
	                                                  ------------- -------------
	                                                       108,377       111,243
	                                                  ------------- -------------
	                                                   $   290,795   $   293,592
	                                                  ------------- -------------
	                                                  ------------- -------------

	                 (Consolidated Statements of Income follows)


	                           Vitran Corporation Inc.
	                      Consolidated Statements Of Income
	                                 (Unaudited)
	    (in thousands of United States dollars except per share amounts, US GAAP)

	                                                  Three months  Three months
	                                                      Ended         ended
	                                                     Mar. 31,      Mar. 31,
	                                                       2009          2008

	    Revenue                                        $   139,635   $   177,507
	    Operating expenses                                 137,462       170,021
	    Depreciation and amortization expense                5,027         5,560
	                                                  ------------- -------------
	                                                       142,489       175,581

	    Income (loss) from operations before undernoted     (2,854)        1,926

	    Interest expense, net                                2,196         2,130

	    Income (loss) from operations before income taxes   (5,050)         (204)

	    Income (recovery) taxes                             (2,694)       (1,338)
	                                                  ------------- -------------

	    Net income (loss)                              $    (2,356)  $     1,134
	                                                  ------------- -------------
	                                                  ------------- -------------

	    Basic and Diluted income (loss) per share -
	      Net income (loss)                            $     (0.17)  $      0.08

	    Weighted average number of shares:
	      Basic                                         13,498,159    13,465,357
	                                                  ------------- -------------
	                                                  ------------- -------------
	      Diluted                                       13,498,159    13,611,446
	                                                  ------------- -------------
	                                                  ------------- -------------

	                     (Statements of Cash Flows follows)


	                           Vitran Corporation Inc.
	                    Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows
	                                 (Unaudited)
	              (in thousands of United States dollars, US GAAP)

	                                                  Three months  Three months
	                                                         ended         ended
	                                                       Mar. 31,      Mar. 31,
	                                                          2008          2007
	    Cash provided by (used in):

	    Operations:
	      Net income (loss)                            $    (2,356)  $     1,134
	      Items not involving cash from operations:
	        Depreciation and amortization expense            5,027         5,560
	        Deferred income taxes                           (2,320)       (1,198)
	        Share-based compensation expense                   234           277
	        Loss (gain) on sale of property and
	         equipment                                        (429)            1
	      Change in non-cash working capital components       (246)       (1,113)
	                                                   ------------  ------------
	                                                           (90)        4,661
	    Investments:
	      Purchase of property and equipment                (1,627)       (7,108)
	      Proceeds on sale of property and equipment         1,047           191
	                                                   ------------  ------------
	                                                          (580)       (6,917)
	    Financing:
	      Revolving credit facility and bank overdraft       4,626         6,625
	      Repayment of long-term debt                       (2,268)       (2,571)
	      Repayment of capital leases                       (1,820)       (2,241)
	      Issue of Common Shares upon exercise of
	       stock options                                         -           178
	                                                   ------------  ------------
	                                                           538         1,991

	    Effect of translation adjustment on cash               132           265
	                                                   ------------  ------------

	    Increase in cash and cash equivalents                    -             -
	    Cash and cash equivalent position, beginning
	     of period                                               -             -
	                                                   ------------  ------------
	    Cash and cash equivalent position, end of
	     period                                        $         -   $         -
	                                                   ------------  ------------
	                                                   ------------  ------------

	    Change in non-cash working capital components:
	      Accounts receivable                          $       (67)  $    (7,671)
	      Inventory, deposits and prepaid expenses             312          (401)
	      Income and other taxes recoverable/payable          (723)        1,131
	      Accounts payable and accrued liabilities             232         5,828
	                                                   ------------  ------------
	                                                   $      (246)  $    (1,113)
	                                                   ------------  ------------
	                                                   ------------  ------------

	                 (additional financial information follows)



	                Supplementary Segmented Financial Information
	             (in thousands of United States dollars) (Unaudited)

	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    For the quarter ended
	     March 31, 2009
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	                                                  Inc. from
	                                   Revenue       Operations              OR%
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    LTL                            115,364           (2,684)           102.3
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    LOG                             16,262              421             97.4
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    TL                               8,009              192             97.6
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------


	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    For the quarter ended
	     March 31, 2008
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	                                                  Inc. from
	                                   Revenue       Operations              OR%
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    LTL                            149,415            2,137             98.6
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    LOG                             19,760              720             96.4
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    TL                               8,332              379             95.5
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------



	                    LTL SEGMENT - Statistical Information
	                                 (Unaudited)

	             --------------------------------------------------
	                            For the quarter ended
	                               March 31, 2009
	             --------------------------------------------------
	             ($U.S.)                          LTL    Q. over Q.
	                                         Division      % Change
	             --------------------------------------------------
	             Revenue (000's)          $   115,364     (17.7)(x)
	             --------------------------------------------------
	             No. of Shipments             853,668        (12.7)
	             --------------------------------------------------
	             Weight (000's lbs)         1,276,668        (14.3)
	             --------------------------------------------------
	             Revenue per shipment     $    135.14      (5.7)(x)
	             --------------------------------------------------
	             Revenue per CWT          $      9.04      (3.9)(x)
	             --------------------------------------------------

	    (x) All % changes have been normalized for the impact of foreign exchange
	        fluctuation, period over period
	    >>

	    %SEDAR: 00004231E          %CIK: 0000946823

	    /For further information: Richard Gaetz, President/CEO, Sean Washchuk, VP
Finance/CFO, Vitran Corporation Inc., (416) 596-7664/
	    (VTNC VTN.)

CO:  Vitran Corporation Inc.

CNW 16:15e 22-APR-09