Big changes are coming to GO Transit in April. But don’t worry, it’s good news.
GO Train services will be expanding in the GTHA, effective April 8, to give more options to transit users and commuters, as well as residents of Markham, Brampton, and Etobicoke.
READ: Believe It Or Not, The TTC Is Canada’s Best Public Transit System
Minister of Transportation Jeff Yurek made the announcement on Wednesday, noting that “everything we do… puts people at the heart of our decision making.”
“That's exactly why our government is committed to improving the transit experience to make commutes shorter and relieve congestion,” he said, “so that Ontarians can spend more time doing what matters — being with their family, friends or spending time at work.”
To make transit more flexible and convenient for users, the province will extend new midday weekday GO Train service on the Stouffville line to three stations in Markham. They will also add new weekday morning rush hour options for commuters travelling between Bramalea GO and Union Station.
Other improvements are as follows:
- Five midday trips in each direction along the Stouffville GO line will serve Centennial, Markham and Mount Joy GO stations from Monday to Friday
- A new rush hour trip will leave Bramalea GO Station at 7:55 a.m., serving all stops before arriving at Union Station at 8:33 a.m.
- The existing 8:33 a.m. trip from Malton GO will now start at Bramalea GO at 8:27 a.m., arriving at Union Station at 9:05 a.m.
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In addition to more transit options, some GO Trains will be increased in size to accommodate commuters and to ensure they have a comfortable ride. The trains that will be expanded all run during morning rush hour, according to a news release.
That includes:
- The 8.33 a.m. train from Malton GO (now beginning at Bramalea at 8:27 a.m.), will increase from six to 10 coaches
- The 7:36 a.m. train from Pickering GO to Union Station will increase from 10 to 12 coaches
- The 6.55 a.m. train from Union Station to Pickering GO will increase from 10 to 12 coaches
- The 8.28 a.m. train from Union Station to Mimico GO will increase from 10 to 12 coaches
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The expansion announcement comes just as the PC government plans to “upload” Toronto’s subway system. The issue was debated at Toronto City Council on Wednesday.
The province believes it can speed up the process on four major projects: the Scarborough subway extension, the Eglinton West extension, the downtown relief line and the Yonge North subway extension.
READ: Toronto Needs A Better Subway System, Not Nicer Stations
However, there has been significant push back from Mayor John Tory and fellow Torontonians who believe that ownership of the TTC should remain in the city’s hands.
In a statement, Tory said, “I have been clear that any decision on upload about our subway system needs to be in the best interests of the people of Toronto, including transit riders and employees, and that the people of Toronto and the City of Toronto must be completely involved and consulted.”
