EXHIBIT 99.1

Vitran Reports 2012 Second Quarter Results

TORONTO, July 19, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vitran Corporation Inc. (Nasdaq:VTNC) (TSX:VTN), a North American transportation and supply chain firm, today announced financial results for the second quarter of 2012 and the six-month period ended June 30, 2012 (all figures reported in $U.S.).

Vitran reported a 2.0% increase in revenue to $213.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 compared to $208.9 million for second quarter of 2011. Adjusting for the impact of foreign exchange on Vitran's Canadian operations, consolidated revenue increased 3.3% in the comparable second quarters. Vitran recorded a net loss of $4.2 million, or $0.25 per share, for the second quarter of 2012 compared to a net loss of $2.3 million, or $0.14 per share, for the same period in 2011. On a non-GAAP basis that would include adjusting for a tax recovery on Vitran's U.S. operations, the Company recorded an adjusted net loss of $0.14 per share for the second quarter of 2012 compared to an adjusted loss of $0.03 per share for the second quarter of 2011. In accordance with FASB ASC 740-10, Vitran temporarily discontinued recording an income tax provision for its U.S. operations

Vitran reported a 6.7% increase in revenue to $420.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $394.3 million for the same period in 2011. Adjusting for the impact of foreign exchange on Vitran's Canadian operations, consolidated revenue increased 7.7% in the comparable six-month periods. Vitran recorded a net loss of $10.0 million, or $0.61 per share, for the six-month period ended June 30, 2012 compared to a net loss of $2.5 million, or $0.15 per share, in the comparable six-month period. On a non-GAAP basis that would include adjusting for a tax recovery on Vitran's U.S. operations, the Company recorded an adjusted net loss of $0.36 per share for the six-month period ended June 30, 2012, compared to a net loss of $0.01 per share for the comparable six-month period.

"We are disappointed with our consolidated second quarter results; however, we remain pleased with the operating results generated by our Canadian LTL and Supply Chain operations. Both management groups are focused on expanding their businesses for the balance of 2012. We opened an additional SCO facility in Kansas City, Kansas on July 1 which will begin contributing in the third quarter," stated Vitran President and Chief Executive Officer Rick Gaetz.

"Our U.S. LTL operation continues to be our main challenge, priority and opportunity. Although U.S. LTL operating results in the second quarter improved approximately 10% from the 2012 first quarter, the improvement was much less than we anticipated. The delay in real recovery can be attributed to operating personnel turnover during the quarter as we continue to aggressively upgrade the talent on Chris's team. This will help accelerate our recovery in the back half of 2012 and more importantly into 2013."

"During the quarter there were many pieces put in place to build a solid foundation for the future. These include the reintroduction of our freight costing model, the expansion of our shipment reweigh technology, the rollout of our in-cab handheld tablet technology, the rollout of our new dispatch system, the rollout of our new linehaul planning technology and finally and perhaps most importantly, the implementation of our new linehaul and operating plan on July 9, 2012."

"Chris Keylon and his team have upgraded the talent and improved the culture of the organization as we lay the building blocks for 2013. We have much work ahead of us but we will expect to see progress in the back half of 2012," concluded Mr. Gaetz.

Segmented Results

The LTL (less-than-truckload) segment posted revenue improvement of 3.0% to $183.8 million for the second quarter of 2012 compared to revenue of $178.4 million in the second quarter of 2011.   Loss from operations for the 2012 second quarter was $3.3 million, compared to loss from operations of $1.2 million in the comparable period a year ago. In the comparable second quarters, shipments and tonnage improved 3.7% and 1.4% respectively in the LTL segment. 

The Supply Chain Operation recorded revenue of $29.3 million, compared to $30.5 million in the second quarter of 2011. Income from operations increased $0.1 million to $2.4 million and an OR of 91.9% in the second quarter of 2012 compared to income from operations of $2.3 million and OR of 92.3% in the second quarter of 2011.

About Vitran Corporation Inc.

Vitran Corporation Inc. is a North American group of transportation companies offering less-than-truckload and supply chain services. 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