All-day, two-way GO Train service is on its way to Waterloo Region… eventually.
However, a transportation advocacy group has raised concerns that the plan may not meet its objectives, and they have a few recommendations.
At present, Metrolinx, the operator of GO Transit, is concluding a public consultation period regarding infrastructure upgrades for the Kitchener line in the Brampton area.
The proposal includes adding two new sections of track, relocating a CN Rail line, and constructing a flyover.
This work aims to facilitate smoother passage for passenger trains while redirecting freight rail traffic to alternative lines. It would address a significant bottleneck that has hindered service expansion between the region and Union Station.
Haadhi Faizal, Founder and Co-Executive Director of More Transit Southern Ontario, believes this phase will help boost service but feels it doesn’t go far enough and merely shifts the bottleneck further along the line.
“Now what we’re seeing is the bottleneck moving from this Brampton segment; now it’s on to the single-track segment between Georgetown and Kitchener, which is a segment of track Metrolinx owns entirely. So, what we want to see is Metrolinx pursuing more double track within the segment to further allow for improved train service to Kitchener.”
Faizal thinks that without adding more double-track sections, there will be limits on how many trains can move through the corridor and how fast they can travel.
In Faizal’s view, these factors would hinder Metrolinx from achieving their goal of all-day, two-way trains running every 15 minutes.
Another concern for More Transit Southern Ontario is transparency surrounding the project.
Faizal feels that residents in the region haven’t been fully informed about developments.
The transportation agency is also planning an expansion along the Kitchener corridor that would extend past Stratford. (Metrolinx)
“It would be just generally nice if maybe there was a consultation in Kitchener about this project because it does involve Kitchener residents. And that Kitchener residents have sort of been left in the dark about the timeline of this project. So it would be good to see some sort of timeline.”
The information available on Metrolinx’s website indicates another series of public information sessions and review periods for projects through Brampton.
The website states: “To support a project’s design, Metrolinx engages with the public, follows recommendations from these studies and takes necessary steps to ensure we do what is needed to deliver a project in the right way.”
In an emailed statement sent to 570 News Radio, Metrolinx stated:
“Last year, Metrolinx and CN signed an Agreement in Principle for Metrolinx to purchase a 20.9 km segment of the Kitchener corridor between Bramalea and Georgetown GO stations. This agreement supports future service improvements, and infrastructure work is now advancing through the Transit and Rail Project Assessment Process TRPAP phase.
In addition to this agreement with CN, Metrolinx continues making key upgrades along parts of the Kitchener Line that will also help enable two-way all-day GO service.
This includes a 2.6 km passing track in Breslau, platform enhancements at Guelph Central GO Station, a new storage track west of Guelph as well as new layover facilities at Heritage Road currently under construction.
Transforming the Kitchener line into an all-day two-way rapid transit system is an extensive multi-year effort consisting of numerous work packages that once completed will come together seamlessly providing increased services and connections from Union Station to Kitchener GO.”
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