GO looks at new Niagara Rail Service Expansion

TORONTO , Nov. 17, 2009 /CNW/ - GO Transit is set to start an environmental assessment (EA) that will look at what infrastructure upgrades would be required to expand rail service to the Niagara Peninsula including prospective building sites for new rail stations and potential improvements to the existing rail line. The EA begins this week, with completion scheduled for summer 2010.

Following the EA and subsequent public review period, there will be an assessment to determine whether a business case exists for this service.

"The potential service expansion along the Niagara corridor will depend on various factors such as fleet availability, capital and operating funds and supportive business partnerships with the railways," said Gary McNeil, GO Transit's Managing Director. The Niagara rail line service expansion is outlined in GO Transit's Strategic Plan: GO 2020, and is part of GO's vision for better, expanded service for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. For more information, visit the Publications page at gotransit.com.

A successful weekend excursion train service was offered this summer linking Niagara Falls and Toronto , and ran between Toronto's Union Station, Port Credit GO Station, Oakville GO Station, Burlington GO Station, St. Catharines VIA Rail Station and Niagara Falls VIA Station.

GO introduced year-round weekday and weekend bus service to Niagara Falls on September 5 between Niagara Falls VIA Rail station and Burlington GO Station with stops in Stoney Creek, Grimsby, and St. Catharines. This service connects with GO's Lakeshore west train service. GO encourages travelers to take the Niagara Falls bus service as an alternative to driving to this popular destination area.

For specific train and bus schedule information, the public can call 416.869.3200, 1.888.GET ON GO (438.6646), or 1.800.387.3652 TTY, or visit gotransit.com.

GO Transit is the Province of Ontario's interregional public transit system linking Toronto with the surrounding regions of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). GO carries nearly 55 million passengers a year in an extensive network of train and bus services that spans over 10,000 square kilometres. GO Transit is a division of Metrolinx, an agency of the Province of Ontario.

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