GO Transit riders react after being left in limbo during rush hour

Commuters relying on GO Transit and the UP Express were left in limbo during rush hour on Tuesday following a CN Rail network-wide system failure that affected every rail corridor.

GO Transit issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon saying most of its GO trains were forced to hold at stations as signals could not be given to trains.

A spokesperson said the plan to best serve commuters in Toronto is to run a limited service from Union Station “once the issue is resolved.” Service is slowly starting to resume.

Heavy delays were reported across the transit network for much of the afternoon, with CN Rail saying GO trains, VIA trains in and out of Union station, as well as CN’s customer service portal — all of which require an internet connection to CN’s servers — were impacted. There was also limited UP Service.

Government sources confirmed with CityNews that GO Trains were ready to run every 30 minutes on all rail corridors in light of the network issues. The modified service plan would be shared with those waiting for a train.

“Our top priority is getting people home from Union Station, which is very busy tonight,” a GO Transit spokesperson said as part of an update. “We are beginning to run outbound trains from Union Station about every 30 minutes.”

Commuters and transit riders voiced their collective frustration once news of the outage became public, with many calling for refunds.

“What about those who’ve paid for trips they can no longer take because of this shutdown? Will we be reimbursed? Not pleased being out money for a trip I couldn’t even take,” one social media user wrote on X.

Another X user shared that at around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Uber prices from Union Station to Mississauga were over $200, with one person saying they planned on renting a bike from Union Station to get home.

“I’d rather walk at this point… I don’t have another option,” one transit rider said in an email to CityNews. “This is a joke.”

At least one commuter was sympathetic and understanding.

“These things happen. Obviously, it’s not ideal for anyone relying on GO Trains to get home today… but you have to make the best of it, I guess,” another transit rider said in an email.

“What can I do? Not much else to do but enjoy my audiobook,” one man told CityNews 680.

GO Transit says on its website that customers should consider taking alternative travel options.