It’s time to GO west!
Just in time for some summer adventures, especially the Stratford Festival, the Government of Ontario has revealed an extension of the Kitchener GO line to Stratford, starting July 6.
Stratford will be the furthest stop on the Kitchener line, which currently serves Brampton, Georgetown, Acton, Guelph and Kitchener.
This isn’t the first time there’s been GO Train service to Stratford. From 2021 to 2023, Metrolinx ran a pilot service all the way to London with stops in Stratford and St. Mary’s. That pilot ended due to low ridership.
However, as more workers return to their offices full-time and attendance at summer festivals rises, the province is reintroducing another option for getting around.
“This permanent service is a huge win for our residents for both recreational and employment travel, for our student population, and for the thousands of tourists making their way to Stratford,” said Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma in a press release. “It is also a big win for our environment as we continue our work to reduce automobile traffic on local highways and on the 400 highways series.”
Weekday service will help commuters traveling east with a morning train from Stratford Station to Union Station and an afternoon return trip. On weekends, trains will head west towards Stratford in the morning and come back to Toronto in the evening, inviting visitors who want to explore Stratford.
The Stratford Festival is a major economic boost for the area, drawing more than 400,000 attendees every year.
Michael Lindsay, President and CEO of Metrolinx, mentioned he enjoys festivals himself and is thrilled that other festival-goers now have a reliable public transit option.
“By enhancing accessibility for both residents and visitors, we are proud to play a role in supporting local growth and strengthening ties between communities across Southwestern Ontario,” he stated.
The expansion of the Kitchener line is part of Ontario’s $70 billion investment in Metrolinx GO services.
Starting April 27, GO Transit will add two additional express trains to the Kitchener GO line going back and forth from Union Station. This includes a morning train leaving Union at 8:49 a. m., arriving in Kitchener at 10:26 a. m., along with a 3:43 p. m. train leaving Kitchener that arrives at Union at 5:17 p. m.
GO service also started operating on weekends on the Kitchener line back in November 2025.
– With files from Christine Clark
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