By Kojo

In a bold move to revolutionize regional transit, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Transportation Minister Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria have directed Metrolinx to begin planning the next generation of GO train service, dubbed GO 2.0. The initiative aims to deliver significant transit improvements across the Greater Golden Horseshoe, a region grappling with mounting traffic congestion and economic losses due to gridlock.

According to a letter addressed to Donald Wright, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Metrolinx, the government highlighted the urgent need to address the escalating costs of traffic congestion, which currently stands at $56.4 billion annually. Projections indicate that by 2044, the economic cost could increase by three to five times, potentially resulting in the loss of over 400,000 jobs.

“As our government works to deliver better jobs and bigger paycheques to Ontario workers, this is a cost we cannot accept,” Premier Ford emphasized in the directive.

The government’s $70 billion investment in transit expansion already includes transformative projects such as the Ontario Line subway in Toronto, the Hazel McCallion Line in Peel Region, and the Hamilton light rail transit project. Additionally, Ontario Northland’s Northlander passenger train service is being extended to Timmins and Cochrane. However, GO 2.0 promises to be a game-changer by enabling two-way, all-day GO train service across the region, a long-standing goal for commuters and transit advocates.

Unlocking New Transit Potential

Central to the GO 2.0 initiative is the proposal to construct a freight rail bypass, referred to as the “Missing Link.” This bypass would divert freight rail traffic from existing GO train corridors, allowing for increased passenger train frequency and the potential development of new GO lines and stations. The bypass is envisioned to run adjacent to the Highway 407 corridor, connecting the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) main line near Trafalgar Road in Milton to the Canadian National (CN) bypass line at Bramalea.

“By leveraging existing freight rail infrastructure, GO 2.0 could help alleviate congestion and reduce travel times for passengers,” the letter stated. This approach could unlock new transit-oriented communities and provide seamless connections to local transit systems, fostering more convenient commuting options for millions of residents.

Collaboration with Key Stakeholders

The success of GO 2.0 hinges on collaboration with various stakeholders, including CPKC, CN, and the federal government. The directive calls for Metrolinx to work closely with these partners to develop a comprehensive engagement strategy. The federal government’s involvement is crucial, given its regulatory role in rail safety and its interest in expanding high-frequency rail services in the region.

Minister Sarkaria underscored the importance of securing agreements with freight operators CPKC and CN, ensuring that their operations are not adversely affected by the proposed changes. “We need to guarantee that freight operations maintain or exceed their current capacity while enabling increased passenger service,” Sarkaria noted.

Environmental and Community Considerations

As part of the planning process, Metrolinx is directed to conduct a preliminary assessment of the environmental approvals required and ensure that constitutional duties to consult with Indigenous communities are fulfilled. The assessment will also compare GO 2.0 with existing GO expansion plans along the Kitchener and Milton corridors, evaluating the benefits of increased passenger rail operations.

The directive further outlines opportunities for developing new GO lines, stations, and transit-oriented communities. These developments are expected to support Ontario’s broader plan to build more homes near transit hubs, addressing both housing and transportation needs simultaneously.

Next Steps

Metrolinx has been instructed to identify a timeline for completing the initial deliverables, including a preliminary business case for GO 2.0. This timeline will be developed in partnership with the Ministry of Transportation and submitted to the government for review.

“GO 2.0 can be a central component of our ambitious plan to build the roads, highways, and transit that will get Ontario commuters out of traffic,” Ford concluded. “We look forward to working with Metrolinx to support Ontario commuters on this analysis and other critical transit projects.”

Should Metrolinx successfully secure the necessary agreements and approvals, GO 2.0 could become one of the most significant transit expansions in Ontario’s history, promising to reshape the commuting experience for residents across the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

The provincial government’s commitment to transit development is evident not only in the scale of its investment but also in its determination to address long-term regional challenges. As commuters await further developments, the promise of faster, more reliable transit service offers a glimpse of a more connected and prosperous future for Ontario.

For further details on the GO 2.0 initiative or other transit projects, readers are encouraged to contact Metrolinx or the Ministry of Transportation.