While we were sleeping — or, at least, enjoying the holidays — transit agencies made several announcements — some big, some small — about current and upcoming services. Today’s posts update readers on recent news.
On Friday, December 12, GO Transit unveiled its strategic plan, GO 2020, a comprehensive blueprint of its future and of regional transit in the Greater Golden Horseshoe area.
GO 2020 supports Metrolinx’ Regional Transportation Plan and the Government of Ontario’s MoveOntario 2020 investment program.
By 2020, more than twice as many passengers will ride GO Transit vehicles to downtown Toronto than do today and more than three times as many passengers will ride GO vehicles beyond central Toronto. GO 2020 establishes concrete plans for managing this growth, while improving service overall, by:
- doubling the number of passengers having access to GO stations (other than Union Station) by walking, cycling, or taking transit;
- increasing service reliability, so that 92 percent of trains arrive within five minutes of their scheduled time;
- making seats available for every passenger on 95 percent of trains and buses;
- increasing GO’s ownership and control of rail corridors;
- making all bus and rail services accessible by 2016; and
- working with provincial, regional and municipal partners to better integrate GO Transit with other public transportation systems, including developing a common fare card.
GO 2020 outlines several major projects to improve service, including:
- offering two-way, all-day service within GO’s core service area by 2020;
- operating trains and buses at least as frequently as every 15 minutes during Monday-to-Friday rush hours and at least every 30 minutes at other times;
- operating rush-hour trains along new rail lines between Bolton, Seaton, east Markham, and the TTC’s 01 Yonge - University - Spadina subway at Summerhill Station.
- extending current GO rail lines to Bowmanville on the Lakeshore East line, Uxbridge on the Stouffville line, Aurora Road on the Richmond Hill line, and Guelph on the Georgetown line.