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All-day, 2-way GO train service from Waterloo Region to Toronto coming, says premier
Mar 18, 2014 | CBC News | Link
Quote:Premier Kathleen Wynne says the province is committing to two-way, all-day GO service between Waterloo Region and Toronto.

According to a news release, the province will make improvements to GO's Kitchener line in order to bring the increased service to the region.

That will entail building a new train layover facility, as well as upgrading the rail corridor so travel times are faster, and by the end of 2016, adding two more morning and afternoon trips to the schedule.

The Premier first hinted at two-way all-day GO service in an interview with Craig Norris on The Morning Edition on CBC Kitchener-Waterloo in early February, promising "clarity" in the upcoming provincial budget.

The news release suggests making at least one trip an express service, and suggests that increased service could see an increase of 1000 more daily passengers.

The provincial news release made reference to a business plan by a consortium that includes the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, the Region of Waterloo and Communitech, that made the case late last year for increased GO service.

The consortium's business plan claims that two-way, all-day GO service would bring an additional net 37,600 jobs by connecting Toronto and Waterloo's tech hubs and generate $838 million in annual personal income tax.

“We got great news today,” said Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr. “I couldn’t be more excited about the possibilities it holds for this entire region.”

Zehr made getting increased GO service to the region the priority for his last year in office. The long-serving mayor, first elected in 1997, won't be seeking re-election after his term this year is up.

However, Zehr says the announcement is just the first step, and expects services changes announced Tuesday will be phased in.

"The two-way service, that's the most critical thing," said Zehr, because there's a need for people to be able to travel in and out of the region multiple times in one day, not just a morning and evening commute.

"It's probably one of the biggest game-changers that will come to this region in many,many years,"said Zehr.
BrianT Wrote:It looks like GO Transit is moving forward on some plans.

http://www.therecord.com/news-story/480 ... kitchener/

This suggests to me that the Guelph Sub has been purchased or is very close to being purchased from CN/GEXR. If that's the case, we can hope some upgrades start soon to make the trip a bit faster.
Wasn't there originally talk of a layover facility out in Baden? Has that been shelved?
I believe a recent article on service increases said that Metrolinx has indeed bought the trackage.
Spokes Wrote:Wasn't there originally talk of a layover facility out in Baden? Has that been shelved?

This location is better - closer to the line's terminal station and to city amenities. I get the sense that this is the preferred location, but for whatever reason was unavailable when the original plans were being discussed.
KevinL Wrote:
Spokes Wrote:This location is better - closer to the line's terminal station and to city amenities. I get the sense that this is the preferred location, but for whatever reason was unavailable when the original plans were being discussed.

It's an odd process to choose preferred locations when you don't own the property. I think this property was on the market, and Metrolinx took the opportunity to buy it at actual market price rather than a "this is needed for a public project" price.
Incidentally, I took the 30 from Bramalea again today. Left Toronto Union Station at 2pm and got back to Kitchener at 3:55 with the connection. I don't think that 2pm schedule existed before, but it is hard to track these things.
plam Wrote:Incidentally, I took the 30 from Bramalea again today. Left Toronto Union Station at 2pm and got back to Kitchener at 3:55 with the connection. I don't think that 2pm schedule existed before, but it is hard to track these things.

I don't recall that being in the schedule, either. Neat!
The Baden site is still in the plans: http://www.newhamburgindependent.ca/new ... -facility/
Quote:Part of the reason Shirley Avenue is considered a temporary fix is GO Transit’s own policy not to drive trains backwards to a station. Permanent layover facilities are built beyond the last station to allow trains to move forward after startup.

Not entirely true. The Milton Line went in the opposite direction: they stopped storing their trains at Guelph Junction in favour of a layover lot just ahead of Milton station.
There's to be a GO-related announcement at 1400hrs this afternoon at the Kitchener train station, with both Kitchener and Cambridge MPPs in attendance. Time-line for increased Kitchener-Toronto service? Something relating to service from Cambridge?
My prediction:

1) Announcement of Shirley site for train & bus layover.
2) Glowing adoration of Metrolinx's "commitment" to bring all-day-bi-directional service to Kitchener within 10 years.
3) No concrete promises of any extra service, on any short term timelines.
Purchase complete of the Guelph Sub from Silver to Park Street. Metrolinx now owns 80% of the lines GO runs on.
That's it? What a letdown!