Province announces major GO train expansion

There will soon be more GO train options for thousands of commuters.

The province announced on Thursday that Metrolinx will be adding dozens of new trips to their service – opening up more than 77,000 seats.

“More trains offering faster and more frequent service means people can choose the train that fits their schedule instead of planning their schedule around the train,” Ontario transportation minister Caroline Mulroney said.

“It means more freedom to choose where they work, live and play.”

Eighty-four new weekly train trips will be added across the Kitchener, Lakeshore East and Lakeshore West lines starting Aug. 31.

That includes new late-night weekday service between Kitchener and Toronto’s Union Station and hourly weekday evening service between Brampton and Union Station.

Mulroney said the core segment of GO’s network will have two-way, all-day rapid transit with service every 15 minutes.

“When fully implemented, the GO rail expansion program will provide faster and more frequent GO rail service to communities from Niagara Falls to Kitchener to Barrie to Oshawa and more.”

According to Metrolinx president Phil Verster, a new express option for Kitchener will save commuters 20 minutes a day.

“The service increases are really exciting parts of how we grow our commitment to our communities to move as many people as possible and bring that economic benefit to the region,” he explained.

There will also be new year-round weekend GO train service between Niagara Falls and Union Station.