Kitchener GO Trains

GoTrans · #1 Posted: **Nov 12, 2010, 11:53 PM**

Attached is press release from GO Transit:

TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2010 /CNW/ - GO Transit will be expanding rail service on the Georgetown line to Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph and Acton, with service scheduled to begin by the end of 2011.

"We are pleased to be offering GO train service to Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph and Acton," said GO Transit President Gary McNeil. "In partnership with the Province of Ontario and these regional municipalities, we can encourage existing commuters to leave their cars behind and use transit. This is also good news for existing Georgetown and Brampton customers who will have improved service as a result of this expansion."

To begin offering train service by the end of next year, GO will be constructing new infrastructure - a storage facility in Kitchener and ticketing service at new stations in Acton, Guelph and Kitchener, as well as bringing an additional 54 new route-kilometres into to the system. This infrastructure will support two morning and two evening trains.

"This $18 million investment in expanded transit will ensure that the residents of Guelph, Acton, Kitchener-Waterloo and surrounding areas have more transit options when they travel between these communities or into the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA)," said Metrolinx President and CEO Bruce McCuaig. "We appreciate the continued support from the Province of Ontario to deliver Metrolinx's important mandate to provide transit solutions."

Now why can GO Transit apparently make a deal with the American owned Goderich and Exeter Railway for additional trains and yet Via Rail doesn't seem to be able to make any progress?
It seems that there is a lack of push by Via Rail and or the federal government. If we are ever going to have higher speed rail service we need to increase the frequency, quality of track and associated signaling systems. On trackage that is in a state of of good repair Via is hampered by interference by freight trains and on lines with little interference such as the North Mainline it is hampered by obstructionism by the railways and the federal government.

David1gray · #2 Posted: **Nov 18, 2010, 2:38 PM**

the rail through to kitchener is definitely one that has the potential to be very important. just needs the proper upgrades. also, via needs to push for better service but doesnt seem to want to do that. its annoying when i enjoy taking the train to ontario from here in NS and when i get to toronto it is faster for my grandparents to come pick me up in downtown toronto then for me to take the train the rest of the way to K-W........

urbanfan89 · #3 Posted: **Nov 30, 2010, 6:13 AM**

If I had my way the Guelph/KW/Stratford/London corridor should be grade-separated, double tracked, and electrified to permit a decent rail service on the corridor. In the long term an upper deck can be built for true high speed rail.

But by the time that happens I'd have long turned to dust...

GoTrans · #4 Posted: **Dec 10, 2010, 2:57 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbanfan89

If I had my way the Guelph/KW/Stratford/London corridor should be grade-separated, double tracked, and electrified to permit a decent rail service on the corridor. In the long term an upper deck can be built for true high speed rail.

But by the time that happens I'd have long turned to dust...

MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY. I WOULD ONLY ADD " WITH A DIRECT CONNECTION TO PEARSON"

Cambridgite · #5 Posted: **Dec 11, 2010, 5:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoTrans

MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY. I WOULD ONLY ADD " WITH A DIRECT CONNECTION TO PEARSON"

hw_ · #6 Posted: **Feb 8, 2011, 1:58 AM**

i'm only hearing of morning departures from kw to toronto but are there going to be any toronto to kw morning departures?

goodthings · #7 Posted: **Feb 13, 2011, 10:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hw_

i'm only hearing of morning departures from kw to toronto but are there going to be any toronto to kw morning departures?

The reverse direction would be served by GO buses as "train-buses", like the non-Lakeshore GO corridors.

Now, I'm not sure whether they will make a new "train-bus" route along Georgetown line to Guelph and Kitchener, or they will keep the status quo (University of Waterloo - Square One)

jcollins · #8 Posted: **Mar 19, 2011, 3:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hw_

i'm only hearing of morning departures from kw to toronto but are there going to be any toronto to kw morning departures?

I guess GO thinks that people will only want to go TO Toronto, not people from Toronto coming TO Waterloo Region. Kinda dumb though.

Many companies like Google and RIM already bring employees in on a daily or weekly basis from Toronto. I think there would be the demand for it.