The Ontario government has announced its ambitious plan for the largest expansion of GO train services in over a decade, with more than 300 additional trips per week set to be added on several key lines including Milton, Lakeshore West, Lakeshore East, Kitchener, and Stouffville. This significant 15% increase in weekly trips aims to provide commuters with enhanced options for faster travel across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Premier Doug Ford expressed the government’s commitment to advancing the region’s public transit infrastructure, citing this expansion as a crucial step towards achieving their goal of the largest public transit expansion in North America. The Premier highlighted the benefits of these additional trips, emphasizing improved accessibility and significant cost savings for transit riders.
Effective April 28, 2024, commuters can expect improved weekend train services, with frequency increasing from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes in the afternoon and evening on the Lakeshore West and Lakeshore East lines. Additionally, the Kitchener line will introduce new 30-minute weekday service during midday and evenings, providing greater convenience for travelers between Bramalea and Union Station.
Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria, underscored the importance of investing in a robust transit network to accommodate the region’s growing population and support economic development. The expansion aims to deliver reliable, convenient two-way, all-day GO train services to commuters within the Greater Golden Horseshoe area.
The expansion plan includes extending evening train services on the Stouffville line seven days a week, along with additional morning and afternoon rush hour trips to and from Union Station for commuters in Milton. Furthermore, every second UP Express train will now offer non-stop service between Union Station and Pearson Airport, providing commuters with a more direct and convenient option for airport transfers.
Milton Mayor Gordon Krantz praised the government’s investment in GO rail services, highlighting its positive impact on the community’s long-term development goals. The additional GO rail service trips are expected to foster economic growth, improve connectivity, and support transit-oriented housing developments in Milton’s transit corridors.
The expansion of GO train services signifies a significant milestone in Ontario’s efforts to enhance public transit infrastructure and improve commuter experiences across the GTA, ultimately contributing to the region’s long-term prosperity and sustainability.
