GO Transit

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GO Transit launches six more eastbound routes between UW and Mississauga’s Square One

December 30, 2009
By Melinda Dalton, Record staff

WATERLOO REGION — GO Transit is rolling out more options for travellers looking to head to Mississauga for the weekend.

Starting on Saturday, GO is expanding its Kitchener-Waterloo route to include six more eastbound trips between the University of Waterloo and Square One mall in Mississauga on Friday afternoons as well as three new trips from the mall back to the university on Sundays.

“Students are our customers so we try and service wherever the demand is,” said GO Transit spokesperson, Robin Alam.

The commuter service started offering bus trips from the region to Mississauga and the Milton GO train station in October.

November ridership numbers show that about 325 people a week on average are using the buses, the majority heading to the Mississauga terminal.

December ridership numbers haven’t been released.

“It is meeting our expectations,” Alam said. “We’re happy people are taking advantage of it.”

In addition to the expanded trip schedule, changes will also be made departure and arrival times of existing trips starting Saturday. The changes were made to better reflect actual travel time, Alam said.

GO Transit consistently analyzes ridership and route data and makes schedule adjustments about four times a year, he said.

GO buses currently pick up and drop off riders at four stops in the region:

* University of Waterloo, at the Davis Centre bus station on the east ring road.

* Wilfrid Laurier University, at the iXpress stops at University Avenue and Hazel Street

* Kitchener at Charles Street transit terminal

* Cambridge at the Wal-Mart power centre, Hespeler and Pinebush roads, at the iXpress stops.

GO also operates express buses that travel direct from University of Waterloo to Mississauga.

A one-way ticket to Union Station via Milton cost $14.35. A ticket to Mississauga costs $11.85.

For a schedule, see GO Transit’s website at www.gotransit.com.

Looks like GO is a hit so far!

I don't know a lot about ridership numbers, so I can't comment on whether or not 325/week is good or not, but if they've increased trip frequency it's got to be good!