From the Mayor.
I am very pleased to advise that Premier Wynne announced today a commitment to bring full-day two way GO Train service between Toronto, Guelph and Waterloo Region.
I am thrilled that the significant advocacy Kitchener, Waterloo and Guelph has undertaken over the last few months, including the development of a business case for full-day, two way GO Train service, has been successful.
In the short-term, there is a commitment to increased service. However it is the investment in the upgrades to the rail corridor and the building of the new train layover facility that is the critical to delivering on full-day, two way GO Train service. Without this investment, we will never have the service we are seeking.
Investments in transportation infrastructure are essential to building a strong economy.
There are many challenges in moving forward on project of such magnitude and it will take persistent leadership to get us there.
I would like to recognize Barbara Swartzentruber for her work on this file along with Enterprise Services team who were instrumental in building the business case.
See press release below for more details. KF
PRESS RELEASE
Full-Day, Two-Way GO Train Service Between Waterloo Region
and the Greater Toronto Area
Ontario Government Committed to Investing in Public Transit, Modern Infrastructure
NEWS
March 18, 2014
Premier Kathleen Wynne was in Waterloo Region today, where she announced the government’s plans to bring full-day, two-way GO Train service between Waterloo Region and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
As part of the government’s next step to deliver full-day, two-way GO Train service, the province is making a number of improvements to GO’s Guelph and Kitchener line that will result in better service, shorter travel times and fewer delays for passengers. These include:
·More GO Train trips: by the end of 2016, Metrolinx expects to introduce two additional morning and afternoon peak period trips
·Upgrades to the rail corridor
·Building a new train layover facility
Making smart investments in infrastructure helps connect regions and their economies and brings prosperity across the province. It is part of the government’s economic plan that is creating jobs for today and tomorrow. The comprehensive plan and its six priorities focus on Ontario’s greatest strengths – its people and strategic partnerships.
QUOTES
“We are committed to improving connectivity between Waterloo Region and the GTHA. We know that we need to make smart investments in modern infrastructure in order for every region across the province to prosper and reach its full economic potential.”
— Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario
“Our improvements to GO Transit support our commitment to offer commuters full-day, two-way GO train service. Our unprecedented public transit investments are making transit a better choice for commuters, reducing congestion on our roads and contributing to a better quality of life for Ontario families.”
— Glen Murray, Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure
“I’m proud to be part of a government that is expanding GO Train service between Guelph and the GTHA. This will greatly enhance economic activity in our region, reduce commute times for families, and create new jobs.”
— Liz Sandals, MPP for Guelph
“Metrolinx is focused on building transit that gets people moving. Making improvements to the infrastructure on GO Transit’s Guelph/Kitchener line allows us to deliver more and improved service for those customers and continue to lay the foundation for eventual full-day, two-way.”
— Bruce McCuaig, president and CEO, Metrolinx
QUICK FACTS
§One trip between Waterloo Region and Toronto could be an express service that could save passengers 20 to 30 minutes per trip.
§The increased service could add 1,000 additional daily passengers.
§Since 2003, Ontario has invested $19.3 billion in public transit in Ontario, including approximately $9.1 billion in GO Transit to improve service and expand routes.
LEARN MORE
See more about Metrolinx <http://www.metrolinx.com/en/> .
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For more information, contact:
Jenny Waterston
Office of Liz Sandals, MPP
(519) 836-4190