[markbarbera]

A couple of GO Transit points:

All the Lakeshore West GO Trains currently running from Hamilton GO Centre are considered express trains by GO. They make all stops between Hamilton and Oakville, then express from Oakville(the 6:14 makes an additional stop at Clarkson before going express to Union). Other AM express trains include the 7:15, 8:00 and 8:44 from Burlington, the 7:58 train from Oakville, and the 7:58 train from Clarkson. All other trains make all stops (although most skip Exhibition when the CNE doesn't run), and are considered local trains. Likewise for the afternoon trains.

As far as express GO bus service is concerned, I can see the bus used for extra runs from Hamilton during the AM rush being dropped, but service during the AM rush certainly won't be dropped entirely. The extra AM train will likely reduce the frequency of AM express buses, but won't result in no express bus service in the morning. The driver talking to Fairhamilton was likely referreing to a cancelled express run, not the cancellation of all rush hour express service entirely. Perhaps Fairhamilton can clarify with the driver next time he sees him.

If the express train service every 15 minutes ever becomes a reality, then I can definitely see no Hamilton GO bus express service during rush hour. Which IMO would be a net benefit. Rush hour bus trips take just as much time, if not more time than the current train trips. Seeing as the buses run that frequently now, levels of service would remain the same. Train schedules will be more reliable than the bus, seeing as they are not impacted by highway volume, and the capacity levels would increase significantly. However, I don't see express service from Hamilton at this frequency becoming a reality by Jan 1, 2009.