Lack of parking forcing some GO riders back onto the highway

Anyone who has used GO Transit knows how busy the parking lots at the various stations can be.

It’s no different in Kitchener, where it is a regular occurrence to see the lots at the train station on Weber Street, near Victoria Street, completely full.

James Abbott regularly uses GO trains to get from Kitchener to Mississauga or Toronto for work. He’s been raising concerns about the parking at the Kitchener station for a few years, reaching out to multiple levels of government.

He spoke to 570 NewsRadio about his experiences.

“I’ve seen first hand, the parking lot is completely full and so there is nothing left. So, people are circling the lot in the morning and having to, probably, just stay in their car and drive,” he said, adding, “then we’re just adding to the congestion and we know what the 401 experience is like.”

GO Transit’s expansion into Waterloo Region and its subsequent service expansions have all had the intention of cutting congestion on Highway 401 to the GTA.

Abbot rightly points out, commuters being forced to drive when they would rather take transit is the exact opposite intention of the transit system.

He’s worried that the perceived lack of foresight in not having adequate parking now could result in insufficient parking at the new Waterloo Region Transit Hub, expected to be completed in 2029.

Abbott said he had brought his concerns to Metrolinx, GO Transit’s provincial operator. He said the response wasn’t what he was hoping to hear.

In an email to 570 NewsRadio, Metrolinx said, “Getting customers to and from our GO stations and into our transit network is a priority at Metrolinx and an essential part of our future growth. When vehicle parking is limited, customers may wish to consider alternate ways of getting to the station, including carpooling, or getting dropped off.”

“Looking ahead, Metrolinx’s GO Rail Station Access Plan outlines a vision to enhance station access by expanding pick-up/drop-off facilities, improving pedestrian access, and increasing bike parking.”

Abbott also reached to Kitchener Conestoga MPP, Mike Harris but again wasn’t completely satisfied with the response.

In an email to 570 NewsRadio, Harris said:

“I am very aware of the constraints of the current go station downtown. That is why I have been a big champion of the revitalization of the downtown go station. In collaboration with the Region of Waterloo, we are working to deliver the King Street W. and Victoria Street N transit hub, which will help alleviate many of the issues regarding parking and access.

The province is actively investing in public transit in Waterloo Region, not just by improving local accessibility but also frequency and reach by taking the next steps to deliver two-way all-day GO. Most recently the Ontario government is investing $13,772,622 for the Region through the Gas Tax program. This funding will be used to expand service hours, increase routes, purchase new vehicles, and improve accessibility to increase transit ridership.”