GO Transit is revising service along train lines and bus routes, starting Monday, October 18.
The highlight? For the first time, one Monday-to-Friday train in each direction operates to or from London.
GO is revising service along these lines and routes: 01 Lakeshore West trains; 21 Milton trains; 30 Kitchener / Brampton express; 31 Kitchener trains; 37 Orangeville / Brampton.
Specifically, it’s increasing service along lines; and adjusting the schedules for trains and buses along lines and routes.
Increasing service along lines
31 Kitchener trains
The Government of Ontario and Metrolinx are launching a pilot project to bring GO train service to Southwestern Ontario.
Starting Monday, October 18, GO is extending two Monday-to-Friday trains to serve passengers in London, St. Mary’s and Stratford. The trains stop at other stations on the line at the same time as usually.
The eastbound train that usually leaves Kitchener GO Station at 7:23 a.m. now starts its trip in London VIA Rail Station at 5:20 a.m. It stops in St. Mary’s and Stratford VIA stations, then drops off or picks up passengers at all stations between Kitchener and Bramalea GO stations. It then operates express — without stopping — to Union Station, ending its trips at 9:13 a.m.
The westbound train that usually leaves Union at 4:19 p.m. operates express to Bramalea, then makes all stops to Kitchener. It then continues to Stratford, St. Mary’s and London, ending its trip at 8:17 p.m.
Trips between London and Kitchener require about two hours. Trips between London and Toronto require about four hours.
GO says, “Since this is a brand new service between Kitchener and London, we’ll closely evaluate how the pilot goes and, working with our rail partners, determine next steps.”
Not all train doors open in London, St. Mary’s and Stratford VIA stations due to the length of the trains. If you have boarded the wrong coach, you can move through the train to another one. At London and Stratford, the doors open only in the accessibility coach and the next coach west of the accessibility coach. At St. Mary’s, the doors open only in the accessibility coach. listen to the announcements on the train. In St. Marys and Stratford, ramps are available for accessible boarding. If you are starting your journey at London, arrive at the station at least 15 minutes before the departure time. Speak to VIA staff at the service counter inside the station to let them know that you require step-free access to the train. VIA staff will use their portable lift while ramps are being built.
If you are travelling westbound and require step-free access at the London station, let the Customer Service Ambassador on the accessibility coach of your train know and they will arrange for the portable lift to be available at the station.
Buy your Toronto-to-London GO train tickets on-line. Tickets for trains that start or end in London, St. Mary’s, or Stratford are only available by using GO e-tickets. This includes trips that start at Union Station or elsewhere along the Kitchener line. You can’t use your PRESTO to pay for your trips to or from London, St. Mary’s, or Stratford (for now).
You can view the new schedules for the line here (.pdf).
01 Lakeshore West trains
GO is offering passengers more Monday-to-Friday evening train service between Union Station and Exhibition GO Station.
Starting Monday, October 18, it’s resuming 30-minute frequency between the stations to help keep passengers moving after concerts and sporting events. It’s adding four eastbound trains, leaving Exhibition GO at 8:35., 9:35, 10:35 and 11:35 p.m., to the schedule, providing service to Union Station every half hour. Five westbound trains leave Union at 7:15, 8:15, 9:15, 10:15 and 11:15 p.m.
GO explains that “Essential infrastructure work to accommodate Metrolinx construction of the Hurontario light rail transit line” is occurring at Port Credit GO Station. Due to track closures, trains operate along the rest of the Lakeshore West line hourly after 8 p.m. So that crews can work safely, GO must close one track, while construction is taking place.
You can view the new schedules for the line here (.pdf).
Adjusting the schedules for trains and buses along lines and routes
30 Kitchener / Brampton express buses
Starting Monday, October 18, the westbound bus that usually leaves Bramalea GO Station at 6:26 p.m. Mondays to Fridays leaves, instead, at 6:30 p.m. The bus drops off or picks up passengers at stops on the route as much as four minutes later. It ends its trip on the University of Waterloo campus at 9:05 p.m.
By adjusting the schedules, GO says, it’s improving service to passengers transferring to the bus at Bramalea from a train along the 31 Kitchener line.
You can view the new schedules for the route here (.pdf).
21 Milton trains
Starting Monday, October 18, the eastbound train that usually leaves Milton GO Station at 8:30 a.m. leaves, instead, at 8:33 a.m. The train drops off or picks up passengers at stations along the line as much as three minutes later than usually. It ends its trip in Union Station at 9:33 a.m.
You can view the new schedules for the line here (.pdf).
37 Orangeville / Brampton buses
Starting Monday, October 18, the northbound bus that usually leaves Brampton GO Station at 6:33 p.m. leaves, instead, at 6:37 p.m. It drops off or picks up passengers as much as four minutes later than usually. It ends its trip in the Orangeville Park and Ride carpool lot on Town Line west of Mill Street at 7:42 p.m.
By adjusting the schedules, GO says, it’s improving service to passengers transferring to the bus at Brampton from a train along the 31 Kitchener line.
You can view the new schedules for the route here (.pdf).
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