Starting November 23, residents of Waterloo region will finally see their long-standing request for weekend GO trains to Toronto and other stops along the Kitchener line come to fruition. The Ontario government announced the introduction of four weekend trains to Kitchener GO station, with stops in Acton and Guelph.
These weekend services will supplement the existing line, which currently halts at Mount Pleasant station. The new weekend schedule will feature two daily trips on Saturdays and Sundays – one in the morning and another in the evening.
Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria, accompanied by Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris and local politicians, made the announcement in Kitchener, emphasizing that this initiative marks a significant step towards providing two-way, all-day GO train service to Waterloo region.
The province credits the collaboration between CN Rail and Metrolinx for enabling the weekend trains by sharing tracks. Under the agreement-in-principle, the Kitchener line will see 40 km of additional track, along with signal upgrades, bridge enhancements, track realignments, and platform expansions.
Minister Sarkaria highlighted the progress made in acquiring necessary land and rights to facilitate the construction of dedicated passenger rail tracks for enhanced service between Kitchener and Toronto.
The introduction of permanent weekend service is anticipated to streamline travel to Toronto and back, while also fostering talent attraction to the region. Harris emphasized the potential of this service expansion to benefit local businesses by facilitating the movement of individuals between Waterloo region and the Greater Toronto Area.
Despite the overwhelming regional support, the realization of two-way, all-day GO trains has been complex, requiring negotiations with CN Rail and substantial infrastructure enhancements along the Kitchener line.
Ongoing efforts include the acquisition of CN rail track sections, doubling tracks in specific areas, construction of tunnels under major highways, and land purchases for future station development. Concurrently, plans for a new transit hub in downtown Kitchener are underway, aimed at elevating tracks and constructing platforms.
While progress is evident, Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay acknowledged the extensive work ahead to establish seamless two-way, all-day GO service between Kitchener and Union Station. Lindsay emphasized the need for continued collaboration with industry experts to navigate the challenges posed by the current construction landscape.
The upcoming implementation of weekend GO trains is a crucial milestone towards realizing enhanced transit connectivity for Waterloo region, setting the stage for further service expansions and infrastructure developments in the future.