Two-way, all-day GO service to become reality by 2025: Ontario

The province says two-way, all-day GO rail service will become a reality between Toronto and Kitchener by 2025.

The news arrived Wednesday as the provincial government released its budget for 2021.

Ontario is set to invest in infrastructure which will expand service from Georgetown to Kitchener, including adding new tracks and platforms.

Key locations will see improvements, including Guelph Central Station, general track maintenance will be performed, as well as other upgrades.

Work along this corridor is expected to be delivered in three procurement phases.

The province says procurement for the first phase of this plan is already underway, and construction will begin in fall of 2021.

Procurement for phases two and three will start in 2021, and 2023 respectively.

“This project is expected to increase ridership, generate travel time savings and reduce automobile usage,” read a release from the province. “It will also connect more people to jobs and improve passenger experience while increasing access to Ontario's fastest growing urban areas along the Toronto-Waterloo Innovation Corridor and beyond.”

Meantime, the Region of Waterloo is reacting positively to the news of advanced infrastructure.

The region calls the millions of dollars expected to further this project, as well as the promised infrastructure, the “most significant step taken by the Government of Ontario toward making fast, frequent, two-way, all-day GO train service.”

“By continuing to advance two-way, all-day GO service along the Kitchener Line, the Ontario Government is demonstrating its confidence in Waterloo Region as one of our province's key economic engines,” said Karen Redman, Chair of the Region of Waterloo. “This is a transformative project. Keeping us well connected ensures that the economic benefits accrued to this region can be shared with the rest of the province.”

The region says expanded GO service is the pillar of continued local economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic.

It goes on to say, the future King Victoria Transit Hub and the development of the Breslau Go Station will both be needed to ensure the two-way, all-day service is possible.