EXHIBIT 99.1

Vitran Reports 2012 Year-End and Fourth Quarter Results

REMINDER:

Vitran management will conduct a conference call and webcast today: February 20, at 10:00 a.m. ET,

to discuss the Company's 2012 fourth quarter results.

Conference call dial-in: 1-888-396-8049 or 416-764-8646 (International)

Live Webcast: www.vitran.com (select "Investor Relations")

TORONTO, Feb. 20, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --Vitran Corporation Inc. (Nasdaq:VTNC) (TSX:VTN), a North American transportation firm, today announced year-end and quarterly financial results for the twelve- and three-month periods ended December 31, 2012 (all figures reported in $U.S.).

Year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2012 highlights:

• Annual revenue increased 2.4% to $702.9 million for the 2012 year.
• Fourth quarter revenue decreased 4.7% to $164.3 million compared to a year ago.
• Non-GAAP basis adjusted loss from continuing operations of $0.67 per share for the fourth quarter of 2012 and adjusted loss from continuing operations of $1.66 per share for the 2012 fiscal year.
• Agreement signed on February 12, 2013 to sell Supply Chain Operation for $97.0 million.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, Vitran posted revenue of $702.9 million or 2.4% increase compared to $686.2 million for the 2011 year. Vitran reported a net loss from continuing operations of $42.6 million, or $2.60 per share for the year ended 2012 compared to net loss from continuing operations of $20.8 million, or $1.27 per share for the year ended 2011.

For the fourth quarter of 2012, Vitran reported consolidated revenue decreased to $164.3 million compared to $172.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. Net loss from continuing operations was $18.0 million or $1.09 per share for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $10.0 million or $0.61 per share in the comparable quarter.

At the end of the fourth quarter of 2010, in accordance with FASB ASC 740-10, Vitran temporarily discontinued recording an income tax recovery and deferred tax asset for its U.S. operations. On a non-GAAP basis that would include adjusting for a tax recovery on Vitran's U.S. operations, the Company recorded an adjusted loss from continuing operations of $0.67 per share for the fourth quarter of 2012 and adjusted loss from continuing operations of $1.66 per share for 2012. Adjusted loss from continuing operations was $0.25 per share for the fourth quarter of 2011 and $0.62 per share for 2011. The adjusted loss from continuing operations for 2011 excludes the impact of a $1.0 million one-time write off of deferred financing costs related to Vitran's previous senior credit agreement and a $2.1 million charge recorded in 2011 related to the sale of facilities and write-down to estimated fair value for the remaining vacant properties held for sale.

As previously announced on February 12, 2013, Vitran signed an agreement to sell its Supply Chain Operation (SCO) business to Legacy Supply Chain for $97.0 million in cash proceeds, subject to working capital adjustments. The sale of the SCO business is expected to close by March 1, 2013, upon completion of the Legacy financing, and is subject to customary conditions for this type of transaction. Vitran intends to use a portion of the net proceeds from this transaction to fully reduce its outstanding debt under its senior revolving credit facility, and will have approximately $50.0 million of remaining cash on the balance sheet. The operating results of the segment have been recorded as a discontinued operation.

"This marks a new beginning for Vitran Corporation as a pure LTL company. With the pending sale of our SCO business, expected to close March 1, 2013, Vitran will continue to focus on building a premier North American LTL company," stated Vitran President and Chief Executive Officer Rick Gaetz.

"We are very pleased with the progress being made in U.S. LTL by the new management team, with additional key members joining Vitran part-way through the third quarter. Unfortunately, this progress is not yet reflected in the operating results. However, our service product to our customer is greatly improved, we are achieving efficiencies throughout the operations and our commercial effort is organized and targeted. The use of our new technology continues to be optimized helping to drive all our efforts to improve results at U.S. LTL.

"Our mission in 2013 is clear: to create earnings momentum in U.S. LTL, by delivering a solid service product to our customers, thereby allowing us to grow density, revenue and yield. Canadian LTL will continue its commercial momentum built on a nicely profitable 2012 and we will focus efforts on our trans-border product offering which sets Vitran apart in the market place. Finally, I would like to thank all of our employees for their hard work and dedication and look forward to a significantly improved 2013," concluded Mr. Gaetz.

Operating Results

The Company posted a loss from operations in its LTL division for the 2012 fourth quarter of $15.3 million compared to $4.2 million for the 2011 fourth quarter, adjusted for the real estate losses. The LTL division posted an OR (operating ratio) of 109.3% compared to an OR of 102.4% in the comparable period a year ago. On a year over year basis, shipments and tonnage both increased 1.8% and 0.5% respectively, in the LTL division.

About Vitran Corporation Inc.

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

The Vitran Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7302

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.

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CONTACT: Richard Gaetz, President/CEO
         Fayaz Suleman, VP Finance/CFO
         Vitran Corporation Inc.
         416/596-7664