GO Transit: Service thread (including extensions)

[TFC]

It would be interesting for sure. But without Greyhound in the mix GO's ridership would increase substantially in that corridor and (hopefully) the public at large would put more pressure on the province for better Kitchener rail service...so that could be a good thing

The thing is, if Greyhound pulls out of the Kitchener market (along with any other market currently served by GO in Ontario), GO wouldn't have the equipment necessary to immediately handle the passenger volumes.
Hopefully, deregulation gets some political attention, and this antiqued provision can be brought into the 21st century!

 

[MrsNesbitt]

The greater the public pressure for AD2W service then, the better. Which brings me to think how today's announcement could backfire in PR for Wynne's government.

 

[ehlow]

The greater the public pressure for AD2W service then, the better. Which brings me to think how today's announcement could backfire in PR for Wynne's government.

Yeah well they also promised 2WAD to Richmond Hill when they were campaigning for a by-election there, but if there's no date then committed then it doesn't mean much to people.

Today's announcement is better than nothing, though.

Hourly to KW would be great.

 

[innsertnamehere]

the promise for AD2W to richmond hill is not new as it has been in Metrolinx's books for years. The announcement today is new as this is the first time the government has ever expressed interest in AD2W service to KW.

By the looks of it Cambridge is quite upset about todays announcement, complaining that they aren't getting their wanted extension of the Milton line. Cambridge seems to quickly be turning into the scarborough of KWC, upset that they aren't getting what they "deserve", while in reality KW is the transit driver in the city, and Cambridge largely sits alone as a suburban mess.

 

[TOareaFan]

Yeah well they also promised 2WAD to Richmond Hill when they were campaigning for a by-election there, but if there's no date then committed then it doesn't mean much to people.

At various times various lines (including this one, many times) have had announcements/promises in vague language and yet no full service.

Today's announcement is better than nothing, though.

If you want to be kind to the government you might categorize today as "We now believe in all day GO Trains"....but for that to be an improvement over yesterday you would have to have heard them say previously "We do not believe in all day GO Trains".....I doubt that is the case.

 

[denfromoakvillemilton]

http://www.therecord.com/news-story...-premier-s-go-train-announcement-in-waterloo/
During her press conference, Wynne also said her government wants to continue working in partnership with the region on light rail transit, having already committed $300 million for the project.

“I’m talking about full-day, two-way GO service today, but it is very important that there be good transit within communities as well as between communities,” she said.

 

[ehlow]

the promise for AD2W to richmond hill is not new as it has been in Metrolinx's books for years. The announcement today is new as this is the first time the government has ever expressed interest in AD2W service to KW.

By the looks of it Cambridge is quite upset about todays announcement, complaining that they aren't getting their wanted extension of the Milton line. Cambridge seems to quickly be turning into the scarborough of KWC, upset that they aren't getting what they "deserve", while in reality KW is the transit driver in the city, and Cambridge largely sits alone as a suburban mess.

Well at least they an take the LRT to Kitchener, then take the GO train.. wait NOOOOoooo! Cambridge screwed again!

Cambridge will rise up and make those Kitchenerites and Waterloo-ans pay for their arrogance! Hoarding all the rail transit, universities, farmer's markets and tech entrepreneurship!

If you want to be kind to the government you might categorize today as "We now believe in all day GO Trains"....but for that to be an improvement over yesterday you would have to have heard them say previously "We do not believe in all day GO Trains".....I doubt that is the case.

I mean the extra trains and rail upgrades though by 2016 are better than nothing.

 

[dunkalunk]

"most likely they are just further extensions of existing trains". Why is it most likely that the 4 new trips will all be extensions of current trips? If 4 new train trips originating from Kitchener to Union are announced, the entire line benefits. If that ends up being the case, I will consider it to be a small victory for the line.

Having worked at GO, I find it unthinkable that one of the trains will be express from KW to Union. It will likely follow the existing express format on the line, which is express between Bramalea and Union. It wouldn't make sense to entirely by-pass the 3 Brampton stations, transit-wise or politically.

The article is vague and deceiving by implying 2WAD service between the GTA and Waterloo Region, and I believe it's a mistake to say that people will save 20-30 minutes on their trip between KW and Toronto.

Regardless of where other stops are in Brampton, express trains would absolutely stop in Bramalea, it's too valuable of a connection point to the 407 bus routes.

 

[dunkalunk]

the promise for AD2W to richmond hill is not new as it has been in Metrolinx's books for years. The announcement today is new as this is the first time the government has ever expressed interest in AD2W service to KW.

By the looks of it Cambridge is quite upset about todays announcement, complaining that they aren't getting their wanted extension of the Milton line. Cambridge seems to quickly be turning into the scarborough of KWC, upset that they aren't getting what they "deserve", while in reality KW is the transit driver in the city, and Cambridge largely sits alone as a suburban mess.

Not to nitpick (well, okay, to nitpick) noone in Waterloo Region calls the region KWC. Most often it's called "The Region" or in the urban area "Tri-Cities". K-W, absolutely. KWC, never.

And yes, Cambridge does and will continue to feel excluded, particularly if the Ontario Government keeps lauding K-W's tech sector and transit advancement instead of referring to Waterloo Region as a whole

 

[drum118]

It would be interesting for sure. But without Greyhound in the mix GO's ridership would increase substantially in that corridor and (hopefully) the public at large would put more pressure on the province for better Kitchener rail service...so that could be a good thing

Again what good is it putting pressure on the Province when the problem is control by CN and the Feds? Until the Fed's change the FRA requirement, not going to Help the Province and GO. Unless the rail corridors have 4 tracks under CN/CP control as well fully up graded infrastructure, not going to help the province or GO.

Metrolinx will try to buy the sub to KW when the current lease is up on it to have full control over it along with upgrading it to double track.

The way GO has expanded beyond its original mandated area, it is trying to take the whole market over and chase all the other companies out of the area.

As far as I am concern today, Metrolinx will own rail corridors and operate GO service as far west as London and to Port Hope/Kingston in the east for a 150 km radius of Toronto.

Metrolinx will use P3 bus companies where it can to keep cost down.

Greyhound is more long distance hauler and should be able to pickup/drop off riders at major cities within this 150 km area.

As for speed on the Weston sub, it will be a lot higher in 2015 than it has been in the past outside the construction zones. The West Toronto Diamond will see the biggest improvement starting in April or May when it doesn't have to deal with CP anymore. Speed will still be slow because of the construction of the roadbed and the 2nd tunnel. Then all the other projects from Union to the Airport.

 

[raptor]

From: Link

Starting April 5, GO Transit will:

Add 36 new weekday and 31 new weekend bus trips on the Highway 407 West route
Add 24 new weekend bus trips on the Stouffville route
Extend one of the morning and afternoon trains on the Barrie line from 10 cars to 12 cars, adding 320 more seats per trip

Starting June 28, there will be two new weekday morning trains on the Barrie line from Maple to Union Station. There will also be more weekend trips on the Lakeshore lines, with more details to follow in early June.

This spring, GO Transit will also begin construction on the Square One Bus Terminal station in Mississauga and will introduce new electric vehicle charging stations at Burlington, Clarkson, Erindale, Pickering and Ajax GO Train stations.

 

[canarob]

All of the spring board changes are up here: http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/updates/schedulechanges.aspx

Interesting to see more Friday and Saturday late night service (I appreciate the service, but these are the worst trips ever -- so many drunk kids). Also glad to see some Friday-only trips. This is much more realistic.

71 – Stouffville GO Bus

(N) Two new Friday ONLY northbound trips from Union at 1:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. will arrive at Unionville GO at 1:55 a.m. and 2:55 a.m.
(N) Five new weekend northbound express trips from Union at 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. will arrive at Unionville GO at 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 6:55 p.m. and 7:25 p.m.
(N) Four new weekend northbound trips from Union at 9:10 p.m., 10:10 p.m., 11:10 p.m. and 12:10 a.m., serving all stops, and will arrive at Lincolnville GO at 10:05 p.m., 11:05 p.m., 12:05 a.m. and 1:05 a.m.
(N) Two new Saturday northbound express trips from Union at 1:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. will arrive at Unionville at 1:55 a.m. and 2:55 a.m.
(N) Two new weekend southbound express trips from Unionville GO at 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. will arrive at Union at 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
(A) The weekday southbound express trip from Unionville GO at 5:30 p.m. arriving at Union at 6:05 p.m. will now operate as a Friday ONLY trip.

 

[innsertnamehere]

while its nice to see, why so many buses that Terminate at Unionville? that is only a single stop.. at least have them run to Centennial.

I also presume this is the beginning of the previously mentioned 20 minute service on the Barrie Line?

 

[rbt]

All of the spring board changes are up here: http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/updates/schedulechanges.aspx

Major improvements to the Highway 407 West service.

* Eighteen new weekday eastbound trips, from Hamilton GO Centre to Square One GO, serving Oakville Carpool Lot.
* Eighteen new weekday westbound trips, from Square One GO to Hamilton GO Centre, serving Oakville Carpool Lot.
* Fifteen new Saturday and Sunday eastbound trips, from Hamilton GO Centre to Square One GO, serving Oakville Carpool Lot.
* Sixteen new Saturday and Sunday westbound trips, from Square One GO to Hamilton GO Centre, serving Oakville Carpool Lot.

 

[TFC]

Press Release from MTO:
http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2014/03/better-go-transit-service-for-gtha-commuters.html

Starting June 28, there will be two new weekday morning trains on the Barrie line from Maple to Union Station. There will also be more weekend trips on the Lakeshore lines, with more details to follow in early June.

I'm assuming those two trips will be deadheaded up from Willowbrook. Anyone know for sure? Either way, Maple and Rutherford are among the busiest stations along that line. Great that they're going to get more service.