What is the province doing to bring GO Transit service to Niagara Region?
On June 30, 2008, GO Transit initiated a new GO bus service between Burlington GO station and Stoney Creek. This new service provides the opportunity for Niagara residents to access the GO network earlier in their journey. Extension of GO service to the Niagara Region requires an expansion of GO Transits Regional Transit Area by Ontario regulation. Decisions on whether and when to extend GO service in any corridor will be made following completion of any required Environmental Assessments and in the context of provincial budget and infrastructure priorities. GO Transit is looking into the feasibility of extending GO rail to the Niagara Region, including a potential new GO station in Hamilton on James Street North. Pending the results of this review, an environmental assessment may be required prior to any decisions on extending GO rail service. GO Transit is also currently developing implementation options for a potential GO bus service to Niagara. At the same time, MTO is reviewing th
GO Transit introduced year-round weekday and weekend bus service to Niagara Falls on September 5th, 2009 between Niagara Falls VIA Rail station and Burlington GO Station with stops in Stoney Creek, Grimsby, and St. Catharines. This service connects with GO Transits Lakeshore west train service. GO Rail service to Niagara Region was further expanded in summer 2009 with four daily GO Train trips to Niagara Falls (which ran from June 27th to October 12th, 2009). GO Transit initiated the Niagara Service Expansion Study environmental assessment (EA) to 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. This study started in November and is scheduled to be completed in summer 2010. The first round of PICs for this study were held in January / February 2010 and presented expansion options. PIC #2 for the Niagara Service Expansion
