GO Transit rail services
GO Transit rolling stock at North Bathurst Yard
GO Transit rolling stock at North Bathurst Yard
Overview
OwnerMetrolinx
LocaleGolden Horseshoe
Transit typeCommuter rail
Line number
Number of stations68
Daily ridership192,100 (weekdays, Q3 2023)[1]
Annual ridership25,484,600 (2022)[2]
Operation
Began operationMay 23, 1967 (1967-05-23)
Reporting marksGOT
Number of vehicles90 locomotives
979 Bombardier BiLevel Coaches
Technical
System length526 kilometres (327 mi)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
System map

Stouffville
Mount Joy
Whitby
Markham
Ajax
Centennial
Pickering
Unionville
Rouge Hill
Milliken
Guildwood
Agincourt
Eglinton
Kennedy
Scarborough
Barrie South
Danforth
Bradford
East Gwillimbury
Newmarket
Gormley
Aurora
Richmond Hill
King City
Langstaff
Maple
Old Cummer
Rutherford
Oriole
Downsview Park
Union Station
Kipling
Dixie
Bloor
Cooksville
Weston
Erindale
Etobicoke North
Streetsville
Meadowvale
Lisgar
Malton
Exhibition
Bramalea
Mimico
Brampton
Long Branch
Mount Pleasant
Port Credit
Georgetown
Clarkson
Acton
Oakville
Guelph
Bronte
Kitchener
Appleby
Burlington
Aldershot
West Harbour
St. Catharines

GO Transit rail services are provided throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) and the Greater Golden Horseshoe.[3] The GO Transit rail fleet consists of 90 MPI MP40 locomotives and 979 Bombardier BiLevel Coaches.[4] In 2022, the system had a ridership of 25,484,600 passengers per year.

GO Transit started on May 23, 1967, running single-deck trains powered by diesel locomotives in push-pull configuration on a single rail line along Lake Ontario's shoreline.[5][6] When GO trains began operation, they ran on tracks mostly owned the two major freight railways of Canada: Canadian National (CN) and CPKC. Over time, GO Transit (and subsequently Metrolinx) have acquired tracks, ensuring GO Transit has control over track maintenance and expansion. Metrolinx currently owns 80% of the GO's rail corridors.[7]

All GO Transit fares are calculated by the fare zones that the origin and destination of the trip are in, as well as by passenger category (adult, student, senior or child). GO train fares are not differentiated based whether or not buses are used for part of the trip.[4][8]

Lines and stations

GO Transit rail stations
Corridor Station Code Location Coordinates Platforms Parking Fare zone Opening year (for GO service)
  All Union Station UN 65 Front Street, Toronto43°38′44″N 79°22′46″W / 43.6456°N 79.3795°W / 43.6456; -79.3795 17021967
  Lakeshore West Exhibition EX 100 Manitoba Drive, Toronto43°38′09″N 79°25′09″W / 43.6359°N 79.4192°W / 43.6359; -79.4192 2021967
Mimico MI 315 Royal York Road, Toronto43°36′59″N 79°29′50″W / 43.6164°N 79.4972°W / 43.6164; -79.4972 433031967
Long Branch LO 20 Brow Drive, Toronto43°35′31″N 79°32′44″W / 43.5919°N 79.5456°W / 43.5919; -79.5456 34931967
Port Credit PO 30 Queen Street East, Mississauga43°33′20″N 79°35′15″W / 43.5556°N 79.5875°W / 43.5556; -79.5875 3946111967
Clarkson CL 1110 Southdown Road, Mississauga43°30′46″N 79°38′02″W / 43.5129°N 79.6340°W / 43.5129; -79.6340 33199121967
Oakville OA 214 Cross Avenue, Oakville43°27′17″N 79°40′58″W / 43.4546°N 79.6828°W / 43.4546; -79.6828 44334131967
Bronte BO 2104 Wyecroft Road, Oakville43°25′02″N 79°43′19″W / 43.4171°N 79.7219°W / 43.4171; -79.7219 32764141967
Appleby AP 5111 Fairview Street, Burlington43°22′45″N 79°45′40″W / 43.3791°N 79.7612°W / 43.3791; -79.7612 32964151988
Burlington BU 2101 Fairview Street, Burlington43°20′29″N 79°48′33″W / 43.3413°N 79.8091°W / 43.3413; -79.8091 32105161980
Aldershot AL 1199 Waterdown Road, Burlington43°18′46″N 79°51′19″W / 43.3129°N 79.8552°W / 43.3129; -79.8552 41689171992
Hamilton HA 36 Hunter Street East, Hamilton43°15′11″N 79°52′09″W / 43.2530°N 79.8691°W / 43.2530; -79.8691 20181996
West Harbour WR 353 James Street North, Hamilton43°15′56″N 79°51′55″W / 43.2656°N 79.8652°W / 43.2656; -79.8652 246182015
St. Catharines SCTH 5 Great Western Street, St. Catharines43°08′52″N 79°15′20″W / 43.1478°N 79.2556°W / 43.1478; -79.2556 10832009
Niagara Falls NI 4267 Bridge Street, Niagara Falls43°06′32″N 79°03′49″W / 43.1088°N 79.0636°W / 43.1088; -79.0636 10842009
  Lakeshore East Danforth DA 213 Main Street, Toronto43°41′12″N 79°17′58″W / 43.6866°N 79.2994°W / 43.6866; -79.2994 3061967
Scarborough SC 3615 St Clair Avenue East, Toronto43°43′01″N 79°15′18″W / 43.7169°N 79.2550°W / 43.7169; -79.2550 362661967
Eglinton EG 2995 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto43°44′22″N 79°13′56″W / 43.7394°N 79.2322°W / 43.7394; -79.2322 283661967
Guildwood GU 4105 Kingston Road, Toronto43°45′18″N 79°11′53″W / 43.7550°N 79.1980°W / 43.7550; -79.1980 3143781967
Rouge Hill RO 6251 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto43°46′49″N 79°07′49″W / 43.7802°N 79.1302°W / 43.7802; -79.1302 2140791967
Pickering PIN 1322 Bayly Street, Pickering43°49′52″N 79°05′09″W / 43.8311°N 79.0857°W / 43.8311; -79.0857 33589911967
Ajax AJ 100 Westney Road South, Ajax43°50′54″N 79°02′30″W / 43.8484°N 79.0416°W / 43.8484; -79.0416 21644921988
Whitby WH 1350 Brock Street South, Whitby43°51′53″N 78°56′17″W / 43.8648°N 78.9380°W / 43.8648; -78.9380 23930931988
Oshawa OS 915 Bloor Street West, Oshawa43°52′15″N 78°53′05″W / 43.8708°N 78.8847°W / 43.8708; -78.8847 22643941995
  Milton Kipling KP 27 St Albans Road, Toronto43°38′09″N 79°32′14″W / 43.6357°N 79.5373°W / 43.6357; -79.5373 2031981
Dixie DI 2445 Dixie Road, Mississauga43°36′28″N 79°34′39″W / 43.6078°N 79.5774°W / 43.6078; -79.5774 1936111981
Cooksville CO 3210 Hurontario Street, Mississauga43°35′00″N 79°37′26″W / 43.5832°N 79.6239°W / 43.5832; -79.6239 11675111981
Erindale ER 1320 Rathburn Road West, Mississauga43°34′08″N 79°40′08″W / 43.5690°N 79.6689°W / 43.5690; -79.6689 22201121981
Streetsville SR 45 Thomas Street, Mississauga43°34′34″N 79°42′31″W / 43.5761°N 79.7087°W / 43.5761; -79.7087 21540211981
Meadowvale ME 6845 Millcreek Drive, Mississauga43°35′52″N 79°45′15″W / 43.5978°N 79.7542°W / 43.5978; -79.7542 12010221981
Lisgar LS 3250 Argentia Road, Mississauga43°35′26″N 79°47′18″W / 43.5906°N 79.7883°W / 43.5906; -79.7883 1792232007
Milton ML 780 Main Street East, Milton43°31′24″N 79°52′01″W / 43.5234°N 79.8670°W / 43.5234; -79.8670 11567241981
  Kitchener Bloor BL 1456 Bloor Street West, Toronto43°39′29″N 79°27′03″W / 43.6580°N 79.4509°W / 43.6580; -79.4509 3021975
Weston WE 1865 Weston Road, Toronto43°42′01″N 79°30′48″W / 43.7002°N 79.5132°W / 43.7002; -79.5132 329541974
Etobicoke North ET 1949 Kipling Avenue, Toronto43°42′23″N 79°33′45″W / 43.7063°N 79.5624°W / 43.7063; -79.5624 168741974
Malton MA 3060 Derry Road East, Mississauga43°42′18″N 79°38′18″W / 43.7050°N 79.6382°W / 43.7050; -79.6382 3779311974
Bramalea BE 1713 Steeles Avenue, Brampton43°42′06″N 79°41′28″W / 43.7017°N 79.6911°W / 43.7017; -79.6911 32377321974
Brampton BR 27 Church Street West, Brampton43°41′12″N 79°45′53″W / 43.6868°N 79.7647°W / 43.6868; -79.7647 2933331974
Mount Pleasant MO 1600 Bovaird Drive West, Brampton43°40′30″N 79°49′22″W / 43.6751°N 79.8227°W / 43.6751; -79.8227 31116342005
Georgetown GE 55 Queen Street, Georgetown43°39′20″N 79°55′07″W / 43.6556°N 79.9186°W / 43.6556; -79.9186 4625351978
Acton AC 39 Eastern Avenue, Acton43°38′02″N 80°02′04″W / 43.6338°N 80.0345°W / 43.6338; -80.0345 145372013
Guelph GL 79 Carden Street, Guelph43°32′41″N 80°14′47″W / 43.5446°N 80.2464°W / 43.5446; -80.2464 112392011
Kitchener KI 126 Weber Street West, Kitchener43°27′20″N 80°29′36″W / 43.4556°N 80.4933°W / 43.4556; -80.4933 10272011
  Barrie Downsview Park DW 1212 Sheppard Avenue West, Toronto43°45′14″N 79°28′42″W / 43.75389°N 79.47833°W / 43.75389; -79.47833 10192017
Rutherford RU 699 Westburne Drive, Vaughan43°50′18″N 79°29′54″W / 43.8384°N 79.4983°W / 43.8384; -79.4983 1970612001
Maple MP 30 Station Street, Vaughan43°51′34″N 79°30′26″W / 43.8594°N 79.5071°W / 43.8594; -79.5071 11319611982
King City KC 7 Station Road, King City43°55′12″N 79°31′37″W / 43.9200°N 79.5270°W / 43.9200; -79.5270 1555621982
Aurora AU 121 Wellington Street East, Aurora44°00′03″N 79°27′36″W / 44.0007°N 79.4599°W / 44.0007; -79.4599 11462631982
Newmarket NE 465 Davis Drive, Newmarket44°03′39″N 79°27′37″W / 44.0607°N 79.4604°W / 44.0607; -79.4604 1265641982
East Gwillimbury EA 845 Green Lane East, East Gwillimbury44°04′40″N 79°27′19″W / 44.0778°N 79.4552°W / 44.0778; -79.4552 1646442004
Bradford BD 300 Holland Street East, Bradford44°07′02″N 79°33′22″W / 44.1172°N 79.5562°W / 44.1172; -79.5562 2359651982
Barrie South BA 833 Yonge Street, Barrie44°21′04″N 79°37′39″W / 44.3511°N 79.6275°W / 44.3511; -79.6275 1619682007
Allandale Waterfront AD 24 Essa Road, Barrie44°22′29″N 79°41′19″W / 44.3747°N 79.6887°W / 44.3747; -79.6887 1160692011
  Richmond Hill Oriole OR 3300 Leslie Street, Toronto43°45′55″N 79°21′53″W / 43.7654°N 79.3646°W / 43.7654; -79.3646 129551978
Old Cummer OL 5760 Leslie Street, Toronto43°47′33″N 79°22′16″W / 43.7924°N 79.3712°W / 43.7924; -79.3712 146651978
Langstaff LA 10 Red Maple Road, Richmond Hill43°50′18″N 79°25′24″W / 43.8383°N 79.4233°W / 43.8383; -79.4233 11137601978
Richmond Hill RI 6 Newkirk Road, Richmond Hill43°52′30″N 79°25′36″W / 43.8749°N 79.4267°W / 43.8749; -79.4267 12324611978
Gormley GO 1650 Stouffville Road, Richmond Hill43°56′27″N 79°23′53″W / 43.9409°N 79.3980°W / 43.9409; -79.3980 1850622016
Bloomington BM 1796 York Regional Road 40, Richmond Hill43°58′33″N 79°23′53″W / 43.9759°N 79.3981°W / 43.9759; -79.3981 110002021
  Stouffville Kennedy KE 2467 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto43°43′56″N 79°15′45″W / 43.7323°N 79.2624°W / 43.7323; -79.2624 10772005
Agincourt AG 4100 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto43°47′08″N 79°17′02″W / 43.7855°N 79.2840°W / 43.7855; -79.2840 134271982
Milliken MK 39 Redlea Avenue, Toronto43°49′24″N 79°18′06″W / 43.8232°N 79.3016°W / 43.8232; -79.3016 1665702005
Unionville UI 155 YMCA Boulevard, Markham43°51′06″N 79°18′53″W / 43.8516°N 79.3148°W / 43.8516; -79.3148 11620711991
Centennial CE 320 Bullock Drive, Markham43°52′25″N 79°17′22″W / 43.8737°N 79.2894°W / 43.8737; -79.2894 1451722004
Markham MR 214 Main Street North, Markham43°52′58″N 79°15′45″W / 43.8827°N 79.2626°W / 43.8827; -79.2626 2413721982
Mount Joy MJ 1801 Bur Oak Avenue, Markham43°54′01″N 79°15′47″W / 43.9004°N 79.2630°W / 43.9004; -79.2630 11333732004
Stouffville ST 6176 Main Street, Stouffville43°58′17″N 79°15′00″W / 43.9714°N 79.2501°W / 43.9714; -79.2501 1243741982
Old Elm LI 6840 Bethesda Road, Stouffville43°59′41″N 79°14′04″W / 43.9948°N 79.2344°W / 43.9948; -79.2344 1567742008

History

GO Transit rail service began on May 23, 1967, on a single rail line along Lake Ontario's shoreline.[5][9] GO Train service ran throughout the day from Oakville to Pickering with limited rush hour train service to Hamilton. This line, now divided as the Lakeshore East and Lakeshore West lines is the keystone corridor of GO Transit, and continued to be its only rail line for its first seven years of operation.[5] GO's other five lines were opened between 1974 and 1982, significantly expanding the rail network from 86 to 332 kilometres long, and from 16 to 43 stations.

To that point, all of GO's rail services ran on tracks mostly owned by the two major freight railways of Canada: Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific (CP).[7] in 1988, a small but significant milestone in network growth occurred when it expanded its Lakeshore East line on new track it built by itself. But following that, the network experienced two long distance extensions to southern Barrie and Guelph in 1990, only to have those extensions reversed three years later. GO did extend its Lakeshore East line again in 1995 from Whitby to Oshawa, finishing that line as it exists today.

The reach of GO's network remained relatively unchanged between 1996 and 2005. However, seven new infill stations were opened along the Bradford and Stouffville lines. This coincided with GO's initial purchases of the rail corridors it operated on, taking ownership of the entire Stouffville line past Scarborough station, and most of the Barrie line north of the Toronto border. In addition, GO took control of the critical Union Station Rail Corridor, which all GO trains on all lines used. By the end of 2005, GO owned over a third of its rail network.

From 2007 to 2017, GO's network saw six extensions, requiring the Bradford line to be renamed as the "Barrie line", and the Georgetown line to "Kitchener line." These long distance extensions, along with the other extensions on the Lakeshore West, Richmond Hill and Stouffville lines, expanded GO's network length by 29%. Six critical corridor purchases were also made, tripling its length of owned corridors and bringing its ownership percentage to over 80%. Finally, 10 new stations were added, one of which coincided with the opening of the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension, creating a new interchange between GO and the TTC subway.

GO Transit rail history
Corridor Date Stations Length Track ownership Note
    Lakeshore (unified
West and East)
1967-05-23 16 86.4 kilometres (53.7 mi) 0 kilometres (0.0 mi) 0% Initial service.
1968-04-26 15 Lorne Park station closed.
1968-11-09 16 Exhibition opened.
  Georgetown 1974-04-29 22 134.4 kilometres (83.5 mi) New line opened.
1974-12-01 23 Etobicoke North opened.
  Richmond Hill 1978-05-01 27 168.6 kilometres (104.8 mi) New line opened.
  Milton 1981-10-26 34 219.0 kilometres (136.1 mi) New line opened.
    Bradford
Stouffville
1982-09-07 44 332.0 kilometres (206.3 mi) New lines opened.
  Lakeshore West 1988-09-19 45 Appleby opened.
  Lakeshore East 1988-12-04 47 346.3 kilometres (215.2 mi) 14.3 kilometres (8.9 mi) 4.1% Service extended to Whitby over newly-constructed GO subdivision.
  Bradford 1990-09-17 48 375.1 kilometres (233.1 mi) 3.8% Service extended to Barrie.
  Georgetown 1990-10-29 49 406.4 kilometres (252.5 mi) 3.5% Service extended to Guelph.
  Lakeshore West 1992-05-25 50 Aldershot opened.
    Bradford
Georgetown
1993-07-05 48 346.3 kilometres (215.2 mi) 4.1% Service cut from Barrie and Guelph.
  Lakeshore East 1995-01-09 49 350.6 kilometres (217.9 mi) 18.7 kilometres (11.6 mi) 5.3% GO subdivision and service extended to Oshawa.
  Lakeshore West 1996-04-29 351.6 kilometres (218.5 mi) Hamilton service shifted to Hamilton GO Centre.
  Milton 1997-03-31 23.7 kilometres (14.7 mi) 6.7% Galt subdivision purchased from CPR between West Toronto Diamond and Union Station.
  Bradford 1999-04-30 33.2 kilometres (20.6 mi) 9.5% Newmarket subdivision purchased from CN north of East Gwillimbury.
  USRC 2000-06-07 52.1 kilometres (32.4 mi) 14.8% Union Station Rail Corridor purchased from Toronto Terminals Railway.
  Stouffville 2001 84.2 kilometres (52.3 mi) 24.0% Uxbridge subdivision purchased from CN (Scarborough - Uxbridge).
  Bradford 2001-01-07 50 Rutherford opened.
2002-01-16 122.0 kilometres (75.8 mi) 34.7% Newmarket subdivision purchased from CN between East Gwillimbury and Davenport Diamond.
  Stouffville 2002-09-03 51 Centennial opened.
  Bradford 2002-09-06 52 York University opened.
  Stouffville 2002-12-02 53 Mount Joy opened.
  Bradford 2004-11-01 54 East Gwillimbury opened.
  Georgetown 2005-02-07 55 Mount Pleasant opened.
  Stouffville 2005-06-02 56 Kennedy opened.
  Milton 2007-09-04 57 Lisgar opened.
  Barrie 2007-12-17 58 380.5 kilometres (236.4 mi) 150.8 kilometres (93.7 mi) 39.6% Service extended to Barrie South, line renamed.
  Stouffville 2008-09-02 59 383.0 kilometres (238.0 mi) 153.3 kilometres (95.3 mi) 40.0% Service extended to Old Elm (formerly Lincolnville).
  Georgetown 2009-04-08 177.8 kilometres (110.5 mi) 46.4% Weston subdivision purchased from CN (Bramalea - Union).[10]
  Barrie 2009-12-15 193.4 kilometres (120.2 mi) 50.5% Remainder of Newmarket subdivision purchased from CN (Davenport Diamond - Union).[11]
    Lakeshore East
Stouffville
2011-03-30 234.0 kilometres (145.4 mi) 61.1% Kingston subdivision purchased from CN between Union Station and Pickering.[12]
  Kitchener 2011-12-19 61 437.2 kilometres (271.7 mi) 53.5% Service extended to Kitchener. Line renamed.
  Barrie 2012-01-30 62 442.9 kilometres (275.2 mi) 239.7 kilometres (148.9 mi) 54.1% Allandale Waterfront opened.
    Lakeshore West
Richmond Hill
2012-03-27 300.5 kilometres (186.7 mi) 67.9% Oakville subdivision purchased from CN between Union Station and Fourth Line; Bala subdivision purchased from CN between Union Station and Doncaster Diamond.[13]
  Kitchener 2013-01-07 63 Acton opened.
  Lakeshore West 2013-03-21 313.9 kilometres (195.0 mi) 70.9% Oakville subdivision purchased from CN between Fourth Line and Brant Street.[14]
  Kitchener 2014-09-29 367.1 kilometres (228.1 mi) 82.9% Guelph subdivision purchased from CN between Kitchener and Georgetown.[15]
  Lakeshore West 2015-07-09 64 446.1 kilometres (277.2 mi) 82.3% Service extended to West Harbour.
  Richmond Hill 2016-12-05 65 453.6 kilometres (281.9 mi) 80.9% Service extended to Gormley.
  Barrie 2017-12-30 66 Downsview Park opened.
  Lakeshore West 2019-01-07 68 522.5 kilometres (324.7 mi) 70.3% Service extended to Niagara Falls.
  Richmond Hill 2021-06-28 69 526.1 kilometres (326.9 mi) 69.8% Service extended to Bloomington.
  Barrie 2021-07-19 68 York University station closes.

Future extensions

  • Lakeshore East to Bowmanville

Future lines

Bolton line

GO Transit rail service to Bolton was first proposed by the Ontario government under the MoveOntario 2020 plan in June 2007.[16] It was subsequently carried over to The Big Move, where it was placed on the 15-year plan.[17] In November 2010, Metrolinx completed a feasibility study that focused on utilization of Canadian Pacific Railway's Mactier subdivision, which runs from the West Toronto Diamond in Toronto northward to Bolton. Four different service alternatives were assessed to determine the best method to carry passengers into Toronto from the Mactier subdivision, and the preferred option was to direct trains east-west along CN's Halton subdivision, and north-south again along GO Transit's existing Barrie line. This would provide four new stations in the communities of Woodbridge and Kleinburg in the City of Vaughan, and Bolton in the Town of Caledon, and also use the existing Downsview Park station before terminating at Union.[16]

The feasibility study estimated that minimum infrastructure costs were $160 million for peak direction rush-hour service, and resulting ridership was forecasted to be 2,391, 2,884, and 4,388 in 2015, 2021, and 2031, respectively, in the morning peak period. If service was increased for two-way all-day service, total costs increased to $210 million, and ridership was forecasted to be 6,074, 7,324, and 11,146 in 2015, 2021, and 2031, respectively. Metrolinx determined that the projected ridership did not justify the costs, and downgraded the Bolton line from the 15- to the 25-year plan on February 14, 2013, when amendments were made to The Big Move.[18][19]

Midtown corridor and Peterborough line

The Midtown corridor refers to three new GO Transit services in The Big Move. The first is a Crosstown line from Dundas Street to the former CP North Toronto and Leaside stations in Toronto. The second and third segments would extend east from North Toronto and/or Union Station: the Seaton line to Seaton, and the Locust Hill line to Locust Hill.[20]

GO Transit has contemplated a Midtown corridor since the 1980s as a contingency plan once capacity at Union Station became constrained, making North Toronto an alternate station for Downtown Toronto. The major barrier to these plans, however, is the fact that the Midtown corridor is composed of existing rail lines owned and actively used by the CPKC as its main freight line between Ottawa, Montreal, London and Windsor. CPKC has been reluctant to provide capacity to GO Transit on its tracks, and the Milton line (which runs along CPKC tracks to the west) only came after considerable negotiations, the 1979 Mississauga train derailment, and an investment of hundreds of millions of dollars.[21][22]

All three lines in the corridor were listed under the 15-year plan of The Big Move upon its publication in 2008.[20] However, the Havelock line was moved to the 25-year plan on February 14, 2013, because of "very modest ridership potential and significant infrastructure and operational challenges related to the Agincourt rail yards."[23]

Via Rail provided train service to Peterborough until 1990, when service was cancelled. The potential to provide commuter rail service to Peterborough was noted by GO Transit in its 2020 strategic plan, and was also included in The Big Move.[20][24] Metrolinx completed a study for bringing commuter rail service to Peterborough in February 2010. Different routes were explored, all of which use CPKC's existing Havelock subdivision between Peterborough and Toronto. Once reaching Toronto, three different routes were explored through the east end, to deal with the same "significant infrastructure and operational challenges related to the Agincourt rail yards" that complicate GO's Havelock line. The study also kept the option open of using either Union Station or North Toronto station as the terminus of the line. Capital costs to upgrading the Havelock subdivision were estimated to be between C$329 and 384 million.[24][23] GO introduced bus service between Peterborough and Oshawa on September 5, 2009.[24]

Operations

Since the founding of GO Transit in 1967, GO trains have operated in push-pull configuration.[25] Each train has a locomotive on the east end and a cab control car on the west end. In push configuration, the cab car has a complete set of engineer's controls built into it, allowing the engineer to remotely control the locomotive pushing the whole train from the back of the train. This enables trains to travel in either direction without requiring one locomotive on each end.

Onboard procedures

All GO trains have a total of three crew members. The conductor and engineer are located in the locomotive or the cab car to operate the vehicle. Another guard-like staff member, the Customer Service Ambassador (CSA), is located in the accessibility coach, which is the fifth car from the locomotive. The CSA is responsible for opening and closing the train doors, making announcements over the PA system, and acts as the first responder in case of an emergency on board.[26]

The CSA announces the next station after the train departs a station, and an automated voice will repeat the announcement when the train arrives at its next station.[26] Automated public service announcements are made in both English and French.

When a train arrives at a station, the CSA puts a small accessibility bridge across the gap between the platform and the doorway. This is to allow passengers with mobility devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, or strollers to board and exit the train.[26] Each car has a number of accessibility seats provided. If the CSA sees a passenger with a physical disability and there are no accessibility seats available, they could ask that a passenger sitting in one of those seats to move to another area in the train to allow the passenger with a disability to sit in an accessibility seat.[26]

Before closing the doors, the CSA will make an announcement that the doors are closing and will remind passengers to stand clear of the doorways. All cars have a speaker above the doors, which plays a door closing chime in the form of a descending major triad.[27] The chimes are an accessibility feature intended to warn the visually-impaired that the doors are closing.[28]

A CSA points at the doors at Rouge Hill Station after closing them for safety. This "shisa kanko" method was adopted by GO Transit in March 2021.

In March 2021, Metrolinx adopted the Japanese shisa kanko (pointing and calling) method. Upon entering a station, but before opening the doors, the CSA is required to point towards both ends of the train and announce that the platform is clear as a way to confirm that the train is stopped properly. After the CSA closes the doors, the same process is repeated to confirm that nobody is caught in the doors. According to Metrolinx, incorporating the pointing and calling procedure within GO Transit's daily operations is an important way to enhance safety, "especially as the transit agency gets ready to launch the largest expansion of GO service in it’s [sic] history".[29]

Extreme weather

In winter conditions, trains are stored near Union Station to so that afternoon and evening trains can travel through less snow. Trains are kept at specific temperatures during storage to speed up engine startup on cold days and to eliminate frozen train doors. Fans are used to blow hot air onto track switches to keep them from freezing in extreme cold. Track snow removal is conducted using high-pressure blower snow removal equipment.[30]

In the event of exceptionally severe winter conditions, GO trains run on different schedules. Express trains will stop at all stations. The cancellation of train trips may occur,[30] as well as replacing trains with buses.

GO Transit inspects train air conditioning more frequently during summer, as A/C systems have to work harder on hot days.[31]

In extremely hot weather, train tracks can expand and buckle under the heat. These "sun kinks" can occur when temperatures are above 30 degrees Celsius for at least 48 hours. For safety reasons, sun kinks require trains to be operated at reduced speeds. Sun kinks are usually fixed during overnight or in the early morning.[31]

Holiday service

On holidays that fall on weekdays, service changes will occur. The following table shows the service type by holiday.[32]

GO Transit holiday service
Service type Holidays
Saturday service
Sunday service
Early homebound service

Service expansion

According to Metrolinx, GO Transit rail service expansion is currently being undertaken and is expected to be complete by 2025.[33] By 2025, GO train service will run from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. on each line. The following table shows the expected service frequency per line when expansion is complete.

GO Transit expected service frequency, 2025[33]
Line Peak frequency Off-peak frequency
Lakeshore West[34] 15 minutes 60 minutes
Lakeshore East[35]
Milton[36]
Stouffville[37] 20 minutes 60 minutes
Richmond Hill[38] 15–30 minutes
Kitchener[39] 15–60 minutes
Barrie[40] 30 minutes 60 minutes

Start times and service frequency on weekends may vary.

Rolling stock

Two locomotives, coach and cab car currently used by GO Transit.
Previous locomotives and coaches used by GO Transit

Locomotives

The following table shows the GO Transit locomotive fleet by vehicle type.[41]

GO Transit locomotives[41]
Vehicle Manufacturer Number of

vehicles

F59PH Electro-Motive Diesel 8
MP40PH-3C MotivePower 67
MP54AC 16

F59PH

The EMD F59PH is the oldest of the three currently active series of locomotives used by GO Transit. They are 3000-horsepower diesel-electric locomotives capable of travelling up to 134 kilometers an hour, and can accelerate a ten-car train from 0 to 100 km/h in about 75 seconds. The F59PH was also the first series of locomotives used by GO Transit that feature dynamic braking, the effectiveness of which was greatly increased to as low as 8 km/h.[42]

The introduction of the first sixteen F59PH series locomotives in 1988 allowed for the retirement of the previously used EMD GP40TC locomotives. Eleven additional locomotives, delivered between 1989 and 1990, replaced the EMD F40PH and some of the EMD GP40-2L(W) locomotives. The remaining GP40-2L(W)s were replaced by fourteen more F59PHs in 1990. Finally, in 1994, six additional F59PHs replaced the EMD GP40U series. By 1994, GO Transit's locomotive fleet consisted of only the F59PH, which allowed easier maintenance.[42]

Despite the fact that the F59PH was designed to last 30 years, the locomotives were less reliable than hoped. In 2009, when the MPI MP40PH-3C series locomotives became available, GO Transit began retiring the F59PH series.[42] In the end, only eight F59PH units remained on the GO Transit roster. These units have been rebuilt for continued service in 2011,[43] but will be replaced by the MPI MP54AC in future years.

MP40PH-3C

The MPI MP40PH-3C is the older of the two currently active series of MotivePower locomotives used by GO Transit. They are 4000-horsepower locomotives capable of hauling twelve passenger cars, and have a speed of up to 150 km/h. The MP40PH-3C is GO Transit's first series of locomotives capable of supplying power to power a 12-car train all by themselves, as opposed to the F59PH which is slower and can only pull 10 cars.[44]

In 2005, GO Transit contracted with MotivePower to build 27 MP40PH-3C units in order to expand its fleet and replace the existing F59PH locomotives which had been in service for almost 20 years. The first set of MP40PH-3Cs began arriving in late 2007 and operated on the Lakeshore East and West lines, followed by the Milton line.[44]

The new locomotives proved to be powerful and reliable, prompting GO Transit to place an order for an additional set of 20 locomotives. Deliveries of the new set began in late 2009 and continued into 2010. An additional set of ten locomotives was delivered in 2010.[44]

The introduction of the MP40PH-3C allowed GO Transit to retire the older F59PH locomotives. Another ten MP40PH-3C locomotives were purchased later and were delivered in 2013 and 2014 when GO Transit found that additional equipment was required to expand rail service.[44]

MP54AC

The MPI MP54AC is the latest series of locomotives used in the GO Transit rail system. It is a 5400-horsepower locomotive that MPI calls "the most powerful diesel passenger locomotive in North America".[44]

GO Transit was the first customer to use the MP54AC.[44] In 2012, GO Transit MP40PH-3C #647 was sent back to MPI and was converted into an MP54AC. It was returned to GO Transit in 2015.[45] Testing of the converted locomotive was conducted December 12, 2015.

The original plan was to convert ten MP40PH-3Cs into MP54ACs if the first conversion was successful. However, increasing service demands led to the order of sixteen brand new MP54ACs instead. Once delivered, these new MP54ACs would allow for the retirement of the remaining eight F59PH units.[44]

Passenger cars

The following tables shows the GO Transit’s 979 Bilevel passenger cars.

GO Transit Bilevel passenger cars[41]
Vehicle Manufacturer Number of
vehicles
Number of
seats
Series I Hawker Siddeley 70 162
Series II 56 162
Series III Can-Car Rail 54 162
Series IV 42 162
Series V 100 162
Series VI Bombardier 22 133
Series VII 85 133
Series VIII 155 133 or 151
Series IX 267 133
GO Transit Bilevel cab cars[41]
Vehicle Manufacturer Number of
vehicles
Number of
seats
Series II Hawker Siddeley 15 161
Series III Can-Car Rail 9 160
Series IV 17 160
Series VII Bombardier 9 147
Series VIII 7 147
Series IX 82 133

Maintenance and storage

Maintenance facilities

The Willowbrook Rail Maintenance Facility is GO's original rail maintenance facility, covering 18,600 m2 (200,000 sq ft). It is along the Lakeshore West line, directly west of Mimico GO Station, and directly north of Via Rail's Toronto Maintenance Centre. The yard includes four progressive maintenance bays, a locomotive shop, a coach repair shop and storage tracks for 21 trains.[3]

In 2018,[46] GO Transit opened the Whitby Rail Maintenance Facility, along the Lakeshore East line. This second rail maintenance facility is 46,000 m2 (500,000 sq ft), more than twice the size of Willowbrook. It includes two progressive maintenance bays, repair shops for 11 coaches and 12 locomotives, two washing stations and storage tracks for 13 trains.[47] The facility was constructed to handle service expansions, which include the GO Transit Regional Express Rail program.[48]

Train layovers

GO Transit train layover facilities
Name Location Coordinates Trains Notes
Allandale GO Station[49] 24 Essa Road, Barrie 44°22′29″N 79°41′19″W / 44.3747°N 79.6887°W / 44.3747; -79.6887 6 New facility added near former CN Allandale Railway station.
North Bathurst Yard 355 Front Street West, Toronto 43°38′32″N 79°23′40″W / 43.6423°N 79.3945°W / 43.6423; -79.3945 7 Originally owned by Canadian National it was transferred to GO in 1980s and opened in 1987.
Bradford GO Station[50] 300 Holland Street East, Bradford 44°07′09″N 79°33′27″W / 44.1193°N 79.5575°W / 44.1193; -79.5575 3 Temporary; EA for permanent facility in progress[51]
Don Yard 470 Lake Shore Boulevard East, Toronto 43°39′10″N 79°21′01″W / 43.6527°N 79.3503°W / 43.6527; -79.3503 10
Georgetown GO Station[52] 55 Queen Street, Georgetown 43°39′20″N 79°55′07″W / 43.6556°N 79.9186°W / 43.6556; -79.9186 4
Hamilton GO Centre[53] 36 Hunter Street East, Hamilton 43°15′11″N 79°52′09″W / 43.2530°N 79.8691°W / 43.2530; -79.8691 4
Kitchener (Park Street) 575 King Street West, Kitchener 43°27′11″N 80°30′06″W / 43.4530°N 80.5017°W / 43.4530; -80.5017 2 Previously meant to be replaced by Shirley yard, but both are in use as of September 2023.
Kitchener (Shirley Avenue)[54] 200 Shirley Avenue, Kitchener 43°28′04″N 80°27′26″W / 43.46791°N 80.45723°W / 43.46791; -80.45723 4
Lewis Road Layover Lewis Road, Hamilton 43°12′59″N 79°39′10″W / 43.2163°N 79.6529°W / 43.2163; -79.6529 4
Old Elm GO Station[55] 6840 Bethesda Road, Stouffville 43°59′41″N 79°14′04″W / 43.9948°N 79.2344°W / 43.9948; -79.2344 6 GO Transit Stouffville Yard, consists of 6 tracks
Milton Yard 7374 5th Line, Milton 43°32′25″N 79°50′40″W / 43.5404°N 79.8445°W / 43.5404; -79.8445 10
UP Express Storage Track[56] 175 City View Drive, Toronto 43°42′20″N 79°35′20″W / 43.7056°N 79.5889°W / 43.7056; -79.5889 1 For use by UP Express.
Whitby Layover Yard 1300 Henry Street, Whitby 43°51′59″N 78°56′51″W / 43.8663°N 78.9475°W / 43.8663; -78.9475 3

Metrolinx is planning a new storage facility along the Richmond Hill GO Line south of Oriole GO Station near York Mills Road.[57] Metrolinx is also planning a new layover facility to hold five trains parallel to the Lakeshore East line just east of Midland Avenue.[58]

Overhaul

From 2004 to 2011 Ontario Northland Railway overhauled 121 Bi-Level cars at their North Bay Yard.

Controversies

In December 2018, GO Transit banned CSA Gordon "Gord" Plumridge from singing Christmas carols over the PA system on the train after a complaint from a passenger.[59][60] Plumridge, who had been singing Christmas carols for over a decade, created parodies of popular Christmas carols inspired by GO Transit (for example, he changed the lyrics of "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" to "Take the GO, take the GO, take the GO!") and sang them on the Barrie line and Lakeshore West line. Many passengers were fond of Plumridge's service and singing.[61][60] When asked about the reason for the ban by CTV News, Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins said, "We understand that a customer didn't appreciate the singing, 'cause he was up in the Quiet Zone, and the Quiet Zone, people really like it that it's quiet, and that they can sleep."[59] She stated that a compromise was made between Plumridge and Bombardier, the company who was contracted to provide services to GO Transit. Plumridge was now allowed to sing only to the people in his train coach with permission.[59]

References

  1. "Transit Ridership Report Third Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. November 30, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  2. "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2022" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "GO Transit: Rail Fact Sheet" (PDF). GO Transit. January 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 25, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  4. 1 2 "Info to GO" (PDF). GO Transit. January 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 March 2017. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 Garcia et al.: Lakeshore corridor
  6. Sergeant (2004),  Ch.4: Buying the trains..
  7. 1 2 "Rail Corridor Ownership". Metrolinx. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  8. "Fare Information". GO Transit. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  9. Sergeant (2004),  Ch.15: The first year of operation.
  10. GO Transit acquires important CN rail line for expanded commuter rail service in the Greater Toronto Area
  11. Metrolinx acquires full ownership of Toronto-Barrie rail commuter corridor in transaction with CN
  12. Metrolinx acquires key commuter-rail segment of CN's Kingston Subdivision east of Toronto Union Station
  13. CN sells Greater Toronto Area rail lines to Metrolinx for GO Transit services
  14. CN sells Oakville-Burlington, Ont., line segment to Metrolinx for GO Transit commuter rail service
  15. CN sells Georgetown-Kitchener, Ont., rail line to Metrolinx for GO Transit commuter rail service
  16. 1 2 "Bolton Commuter Rail Service Feasibility Study" (PDF). GO Transit. 11 November 2010. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  17. "The Big Move" (PDF). Metrolinx. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  18. "Approved Changes to The Big Move" (PDF). Metrolinx. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  19. Strader, Matthew (21 January 2013). "Caledon does not have enough focused population for rail: Metrolinx". Caledon Enterprise. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  20. 1 2 3 Metrolinx, Schedules 1 & 2
  21. Garcia & Bow
  22. "Riding the rails into Mississauga's past". Mississauga.com. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  23. 1 2 Metrolinx (Approved Changes), p. 2
  24. 1 2 3 "Peterborough Rail Study Final Report" (PDF). Metrolinx. February 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  25. "GO 50th Anniversary". goingstrong.gotransit.com. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  26. 1 2 3 4 "GO Transit. Accessibility Guide (n.d.)" (PDF). GO Transit. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  27. "Toronto Door Chimes Or New York Door Chimes?". Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  28. "Accessible Vehicles & Stations | Accessibility | GO Transit". www.gotransit.com. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  29. metrolinx (2021-03-15). "Point and Call – Metrolinx introduces the practice of Shisa Kanko to GO Transit trains". Metrolinx News. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  30. 1 2 "Winter | How Weather Affects Service | Travelling with Us | GO Transit". www.gotransit.com. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  31. 1 2 "How Summer Weather Affects Service | GO Transit". www.gotransit.com. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  32. "Holiday & Special Events | Service Updates". www.gotransit.com. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  33. 1 2 "Metrolinx: For a Greater Region – Projects". www.metrolinx.com. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  34. "Metrolinx: For a Greater Region – Lakeshore West GO Expansion". www.metrolinx.com. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  35. "Metrolinx: For a Greater Region – Lakeshore East GO Expansion". www.metrolinx.com. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  36. "Metrolinx: For a Greater Region – Milton GO Expansion". www.metrolinx.com. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  37. "Metrolinx: For a Greater Region – Stouffville GO Expansion". www.metrolinx.com. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  38. "Metrolinx: For a Greater Region – Richmond Hill GO Expansion". www.metrolinx.com. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  39. "Metrolinx: For a Greater Region – Kitchener GO Expansion". www.metrolinx.com. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  40. "Metrolinx: For a Greater Region – Barrie GO Expansion". www.metrolinx.com. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  41. 1 2 3 4 "GO Transit – CPTDB Wiki". cptdb.ca. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  42. 1 2 3 "The F59PH Series Locomotives (1988- ) – Transit Toronto – Content". transittoronto.ca. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  43. "GO Transit 520-568 – CPTDB Wiki". cptdb.ca. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  44. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "GO's MPI Series (MP40PH-3C and MP54AC) Locomotives (2007- ) – Transit Toronto – Content". transittoronto.ca. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  45. "GO Transit 600-666 – CPTDB Wiki". cptdb.ca. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  46. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-08-09. Retrieved 2020-04-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  47. "East Rail Maintenance Facility". GO Transit. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  48. "Ontario Unveils New Accessible Double-Decker GO Buses" (Press release). Government of Ontario. 4 February 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  49. GO Transit: ADGO
  50. PT-2016-CBA-008 – PT-2016-CBA-008: CONSTRUCTION OF A LAYOVER FACILITY AT BRADFORD GO STATION
  51. Metrolinx presentation to Bradford West Gwillimbury council, June 2017
  52. GO Transit: GEGO
  53. GO Transit: HMGO
  54. GO TRANSIT: KITCHENER LAYOVER FACILITY
  55. GO Transit: LCGO
  56. PT-2014-RF-095: CONSTRUCTION OF RAIL STORAGE TRACK FOR UP EXPRESS SERVICE
  57. "Metrolinx does an about-face on a GO facility planned for the Don Valley". Toronto Star. March 1, 2023.
  58. "Midland Layover Facility" (PDF). Metrolinx. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  59. 1 2 3 "Scrooge complains about GO train conductor's singing – Video – CityNews Toronto". toronto.citynews.ca. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  60. 1 2 "WARMINGTON: Go Train Grinch steals Christmas cheer". torontosun. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  61. "GO train conductor also sings for his passengers – CityNews Toronto". toronto.citynews.ca. Retrieved 2021-08-19.

General references

Bibliography

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