Premier Doug Ford announced the largest GO train service expansion in more than a decade at a press conference in Milton, Ont, on April 15.
Ford and Ontario Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria said Ontario is enhancing transit service by adding more than 300 trips per week linking Kitchener, Milton, Lakeshore West, Lakeshore East and Stouffville lines to Union Station.
This announcement comes after the implementation of the One Fare Program in February, which allows transit riders to only pay once when connecting between the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), GO Transit, and regional transit.
“Today’s announcement, along with our recent introduction of free transfers between different transit systems through One Fare, will help get people across the region where they need to go faster while saving the average transit rider $1,600 every year,” Ford said.
Weekend train frequencies will double from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes during the afternoon and evening hours on the Lakeshore West and Lakeshore East lines starting April 28, he said.
Kitchener commuters can also expect to see a new 30-minute weekday service for the first time, Ford said.
These initiatives support the 2041 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), which facilitates the integration of transit services and fares while reducing barriers and promoting cost savings.
Sarkaria believes the addition will help Ontarians.
“As Ontario’s population continues to grow, our government is investing in a world-class transit network that connects communities and people to good jobs and affordable housing,” Sarkaria said.
Milton’s Mayor Gordon Krantz said the expansion of GO rail service provides more access to jobs and stimulate economic growth.
“Additional GO rail service trips in Milton further connect people to jobs, students to learning, stimulate our economy, fosters housing builds in our transit corridors and improves connections to other transit services,” Krantz said.
“We thank the Government of Ontario for this investment,” he said.
With by-elections around the corner, Ford said this announcement was not about getting votes but helping Ontarians.
“No, we’re out here making announcements every single day in every region of this province and this is a great announcement for the folks in Milton and everyone that rides the GO train,” he said.
The electoral districts of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex and Milton have an upcoming provincial by-election that is set for May 2, 2024.
A recently published poll conducted by Liason Strategies regarding the by-election in the Milton riding reported the Provincial Conservatives and Ontario Liberals are neck and neck.
Ford thanked Ontarians for their efforts in building a better province.
“We are building hospitals, we are building schools, building transit, we are expanding highways, and building long-term care,” Ford said. “It is only thanks to each and every one of you, it’s about every person in Ontario that is pitching in.”