Residents in the Waterloo region have long sought weekend GO train services connecting to Toronto and other destinations along the Kitchener line. This demand will be met next month as the Ontario government announced plans to commence four weekend trains to the Kitchener GO station, with stops in Acton and Guelph starting November 23.
Currently, trains on this line terminate at Mount Pleasant station. The new weekend service will offer two trips per day on Saturdays and Sundays, one in the morning and one in the evening. Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria, along with Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris and local officials, made the announcement in Kitchener, emphasizing the significance of this move in advancing two-way, all-day GO train service to the region.
The introduction of weekend trains became feasible after CN Rail and Metrolinx agreed to share tracks. This agreement entails adding 40 km of track to the Kitchener line, along with signal upgrades, bridge enhancements, track realignments, and platform expansions. Sarkaria highlighted the importance of gaining control over the corridor to facilitate the construction of dedicated passenger rail tracks for improved service.
The ultimate goal is to establish two-way, all-day GO train service between Kitchener and Toronto on an hourly basis seven days a week. The development is seen as a substantial step towards enhancing regional transportation accessibility and attracting skilled talent to the area.
Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris expressed his long-standing advocacy for expanded GO train services since 2018, emphasizing the benefits of permanent weekend service in facilitating smoother travel to Toronto and bolstering the region’s appeal to a diverse talent pool.
Despite the widespread support for improved transit services, the journey towards implementing two-way, all-day GO trains has been complex. The province has undertaken various initiatives, including acquiring rail tracks, doubling track capacity in certain sections, constructing tunnels, and purchasing land for future infrastructure projects to bolster regional connectivity.
As efforts continue to materialize a comprehensive transit network, Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay acknowledged the ongoing challenges in navigating a volatile construction market and the need for coordinated efforts to advance the project effectively.
The community’s eagerness for enhanced transit options and the ongoing infrastructure developments signify a positive trajectory towards establishing a robust transportation network in the Waterloo region.
