GO promises to keep passengers in the know and improve level of comfort

TORONTO, Nov. 10, 2010 /CNW/ - Highlighting GO Transit's Passenger Charter promises to keep customers informed and comfortable, customers can sign up for GO's E-News service this afternoon in the GO concourse at Union Station. GO's on-air Transit Reporters will be on hand to help with the sign-up, and customers can also check out the GO 'Comfort Lounge' in the concourse and learn about some of the ways GO is working to improve comfort on trains and buses.

GO is highlighting promises from the Passenger Charter all week, letting passengers know that they are being heard and improvements are being made.

E-News is an email news and update service that sends customized information to customers specific to their traveling needs. GO Transit is thrilled to announce that by the end of this year, SMS messaging will be another communication option passengers can choose from.

"Adding SMS messaging to our E-News service is something our passengers wanted and provides another option to receive information," said Mary Proc, Vice-President Customer Service, GO Transit. "Keeping our customers in the know through the tools they want is vital to our business. We're glad to be introducing SMS."

GO has made many recent improvements to the way it communicates with customers:

    
    -   Launched TV and radio transit reporting for up-to-the-minute service
        information on your morning and afternoon commutes
    -   Introduced quarterly customer satisfaction surveys to understand
        customers' needs
    -   Refreshed the GO Transit website and added Google trip planner
    

Commuters passing through Union Station this afternoon can also check out the GO 'Comfort Lounge' to learn about some of the things GO is doing to make passengers more comfortable on their ride. Clean, comfortable service is something GO is always looking to provide for its customers, and several improvements are making a difference:

    
    -   In 2010, GO added more than 5,500 new parking spaces across the
        system
    -   GO now has 14 more double-decker buses and more 12-coach trains to
        meet the demands of growing ridership
    -   A new tool on GO's website allows customers to view seat availability
        for their train trip
    

Passengers can also help when it comes to making GO a comfortable ride. Simple tips can make all the difference, like spreading out along the platform, not standing in doorways, keeping bags and feet off seats, and offering your seat to an elderly person or pregnant woman.

Each promise in the Passenger Charter has measurable targets that are publicly available online. Visit gotransit.com to learn more about the promises and the improvements we're making.

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. Follow GO on Twitter and Facebook.

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For further information: Media enquiries - Vanessa Thomas, [phone]