For years, folks in the Waterloo region have been requesting weekend GO trains that travel into Toronto and other locations along the Kitchener line.
Next month, that request will be fulfilled.
The Ontario government announced on Thursday that starting Nov. 23, four trains will run to Kitchener GO station, making stops at Acton and Guelph.
The trains currently operate on the line but only stop at Mount Pleasant station. With this new weekend service, there will be two trips each day on Saturday and Sunday: one in the morning and another in the evening.
Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria was in Kitchener on Thursday morning to share the news alongside Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris and other local officials.
Sarkaria called it a “pivotal step towards delivering two-way, all-day GO train service” to the Waterloo region.
“In 2018, we had 45 trips that used to come up to Kitchener. Now we’re going to have 95 trips.. and we’re going to continue to move forward and expand service and work toward two-way, all-day GO,” Sarkaria told.
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Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris said Thursday’s announcement lays the groundwork for enhancing GO train service between Kitchener and Toronto. (Carmen Groleau/CBC)
The province indicates that weekend trains are feasible after CN Rail and Metrolinx reached an agreement for shared track usage. As part of this agreement-in-principle, an additional 40 km of track will be integrated into the Kitchener line. Upgrades will also include signals, bridge improvements, track re-alignments, and platform expansions.
“We bought the land; we acquired what we needed,” Sarkaria said.
“Before, CN had complete rights over it but weren’t willing to sell; now we have full control of that corridor so we can begin building these dedicated passenger rail tracks moving forward.”
Once construction is finished, Sarkaria mentioned it would enable two-way, all-day GO train service between Kitchener and Toronto every hour throughout the week.
“This historical deal we made with CN allows us to create dedicated passenger rail tracks ensuring smooth travel from Union [Station in Toronto] right through to Kitchener; we’re starting off by adding these four trips on weekends,” he stated.
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Thursday’s announcement occurred at the Kitchener Go Rail and Bus Facility located on Shirley Avenue. (Carmen Groleau/CBC)
The province has acknowledged necessary arrangements needed with CN Rail regarding their tracks while simultaneously initiating projects aimed at increasing capacity along this route.This includes: This ongoing effort coincides with plans for a new transit hub set for downtown Kitchener which is expected to kick off early next year where train tracks will be elevated along with new platforms being constructed.Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay expressed his team’s commitment stating they’ve been working “every day” towards achieving two-way all-day GO service from Kitchener straight through Union Station; however he noted there’s still “a lot of work left” especially given current fluctuations within construction markets.“We ultimately need market insights as well as discussions involving designers related closely tied projects like a proposed 40-kilometre twin track system enabling thorough understanding about technical feasibilities connected advancing these initiatives,” he informed reporters.
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Enhancing mobility and attracting talent
The Region of Waterloo teamed up with Guelph back in 2013 asking the province for better GO Transit services. Former Ontario Transportation Minister Glen Murray remarked that it “makes a lot of sense.” Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris noted he’s been advocating for two-way, all-day GO train service since he first ran for provincial parliament in 2018. He believes having consistent weekend service will make it easier for people traveling back and forth from Toronto while also helping draw more talent into the region as weekday services expand.</ “There’s roughly about as many people commuting out of Waterloo region into Toronto and the GTA as there are commuters from Toronto and the GTA into Waterloo region,” Harris told. “Being able to attract global talent while also drawing local talent presents incredible opportunities for businesses here in our area.”‘Much work ahead’
While there’s significant support locally,‘actualizing two-way,’ all-day GO trains has proven challenging.The province has acknowledged necessary arrangements needed with CN Rail regarding their tracks while simultaneously initiating projects aimed at increasing capacity along this route.This includes: This ongoing effort coincides with plans for a new transit hub set for downtown Kitchener which is expected to kick off early next year where train tracks will be elevated along with new platforms being constructed.Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay expressed his team’s commitment stating they’ve been working “every day” towards achieving two-way all-day GO service from Kitchener straight through Union Station; however he noted there’s still “a lot of work left” especially given current fluctuations within construction markets.“We ultimately need market insights as well as discussions involving designers related closely tied projects like a proposed 40-kilometre twin track system enabling thorough understanding about technical feasibilities connected advancing these initiatives,” he informed reporters.
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