GO/VIA Transit

[markbarbera]

The bus loop is for the Niagara Falls bus connection for the Lakeshore West line which is currently looping at Burlington GO station, with a Stoney Creek stop at Barton and RHVP.

The layover is the relocation of the existing layover at Aldershot, which will need to be relocated to the new Lakeshore West terminus at James North station.

Service out of Hamilton GO Station on Hunter Street will remain as is.

[matt602]

Sounds good. I did forget about the Niagara Falls bus entirely. I'm wondering what kind of routing it will take though. The long way around the QEW/403 through downtown or the longer and much less pretty way along Burlington Street? That's going to be a very interesting problem for GO to tackle. I'd assume the bus will need to get from James North to "Stoney Creek" somehow.

Any word on the Centennial Parkway station as well? I'd imagine it will serve as a replacement for the Barton and Nash P&R once completed.

[thistleclub]

Originally Posted by Jon Dalton

Jesus, 5 years to build one GO station?

Nine years from funding commitment announcement to substantial completion, though the $744m Quick Wins were hyped in late 2007.

So close to a decade, all in. And that's a case where the funding had been locked down.

Metrolinx had projected that this platform would already be in service "as the first step to future GO and VIA train service."

[go_leafs_go02]

Wouldn't it still be a shorter trip to take a Niagara Bus connecting to Burlington via the QEW than transferring at James Street North to the GO train and go all the way around the bay?

[bigguy1231]

Originally Posted by matt602

I'm kind of surprised that there will be a bus loop there as I was under the impression that bus service will remain at Hunter. Kind of worries me.

The bus loop may be for HSR buses.

[thistleclub]

GO train: 15 minutes late and it’s free
(Hamilton Spectator, Nov 14, 2012)

Commuters can bank on a free ride for being late.

The 15-minute guarantee starts Thursday for GO train users.

It means riders will be able to get a credit based on the fare they paid if their arrival is delayed 15 minutes or more.

GO says its trains arrived on schedule 94 per cent of the time this year, up from 87 per cent in 2008. Some delays will not be covered by the credit, including extreme weather conditions as defined by Environment Canada, emergency investigations, track obstructions, pedestrian incidents and on-board medical emergencies.

However, GO says approximately 70 per cent of the delays they currently experience would qualify. The credit has no cash value and comes in the form of a voucher for a trip of that distance.

PRESTO users will be able to claim credits for late trips online, at a ticket kiosk or from GO customer service representatives up to seven days after the delay.

Single-ride ticket holders, day pass holders and group pass holders are required to claim credit vouchers from GO customer service representatives within 24 hours.

GO buses and trains transport roughly 62 million passengers per year. Of that, about 75 per cent take the train.

[mattgrande]

Released today, near as I can tell, http://gotracker.ca

Real-time info from GO Transit.

[markbarbera]

Originally Posted by thistleclub

GO train: 15 minutes late and it’s free
(Hamilton Spectator, Nov 14, 2012)

Commuters can bank on a free ride for being late.

The 15-minute guarantee starts Thursday for GO train users.

It means riders will be able to get a credit based on the fare they paid if their arrival is delayed 15 minutes or more.

GO says its trains arrived on schedule 94 per cent of the time this year, up from 87 per cent in 2008. Some delays will not be covered by the credit, including extreme weather conditions as defined by Environment Canada, emergency investigations, track obstructions, pedestrian incidents and on-board medical emergencies.

However, GO says approximately 70 per cent of the delays they currently experience would qualify. The credit has no cash value and comes in the form of a voucher for a trip of that distance.

PRESTO users will be able to claim credits for late trips online, at a ticket kiosk or from GO customer service representatives up to seven days after the delay.

Single-ride ticket holders, day pass holders and group pass holders are required to claim credit vouchers from GO customer service representatives within 24 hours.

GO buses and trains transport roughly 62 million passengers per year. Of that, about 75 per cent take the train.

I've already made three claims since this was introduced - two yesterday alone. Maybe the Feb 1 fare increase is to offset losses from the guarantee?

[Berklon]

Originally Posted by markbarbera

I've already made three claims since this was introduced - two yesterday alone. Maybe the Feb 1 fare increase is to offset losses from the guarantee?

When I heard about the 15 minutes late and it's free offer, I told a few co-workers to expect a fare increase very soon. Sure enough, it came really quick and seems to be the highest increase I can remember.

This is Canada - they get your money one way or another.

[thistleclub]

GO adds service to Lakeshore West line
(Mississauga News, Chris Clay, Dec 20, 2012)

GO Transit is adding service to its Lakeshore West line, which runs through Mississauga, in the new year.

Commuters taking the Lakeshore West service will have more trains running during rush hour, particularly for those departing from Aldershot station in Burlington. Some trips on the Lakeshore and Barrie lines will also have more capacity, with 320 seats being added per trip via 16 more rail cars.

The new service, which also includes upgrades to Stouffville and Richmond Hill lines, will be in place starting Jan. 5.

GO officials say the new service will have an impact on the GO buses as connections will need to be adjusted and some will be replaced with the train service.

[thistleclub]

More train service for Lakeshore West, Stouffville and Richmond Hill

TORONTO, Dec. 20, 2012 /CNW/ - Starting Jan. 5, GO Transit is adding more service and adjusting schedules to serve passengers better.

Stouffville and Richmond Hill GO line passengers will have an earlier train option in the afternoon; Lakeshore West passengers will have more train trip options during rush hours, particularly those travelling out of Aldershot GO Station; and some existing trips along the Lakeshore and Barrie GO lines will be more comfortable with 320 additional seats per trip thanks to the addition of 16 rail cars.

Some of this new train service will have an impact on GO Bus service as connections will be adjusted and some trips will be replaced by the new GO Train trips. Since GO assesses service on a consistent basis, some regular GO Bus service will be adjusted and increased according to demand.

GO Train service also begins at the new Acton GO Station on Jan. 7. Located at 45 Eastern Avenue, the newest GO station will see two trips during every rush hour along the Kitchener GO line.

These service enhancements further Metrolinx's regional transportation plan, The Big Move, in making GO a faster, more frequent and more convenient transit option.

For more information on GO services, visit gotransit.com, or call 416.869.3200, 1.888.GET ON GO (438.6646) or 1.800.387.3652 TTY.

[thistleclub]

Burlington GO Station expanding its footprint
(Hamilton Spectator, Mark McNeil, Dec 22 2012)

Burlington’s new GO Station building will be nearly 20 times the square metres of the current station.

Metrolinx officials say a redesigned bus loop at the station on Fairview Avenue will move buses in and out more efficiently, but when the dust clears for the grand opening there will be 35 fewer parking spaces.

Here is a look at the station:

• Current terminal building: 100 sq. m
• New terminal building: 1,888 sq. m
• Cost of renovation: $15.5 million
• Completion date: Early 2014
• Construction jobs: 140
• Parking spaces now: 2,273
• Burlington commuters a day: 3,500
• Parking spaces after construction: 2,238

The Ministry of Transportation says the Burlington station expansion is a step toward its goal of bringing two-way, all-day GO train service to commuters in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area.

Construction impact: The station’s ticket windows and washrooms will be relocated to its north side, in front of the parking structure. A temporary trailer will be used to sell tickets. Elevator service will be available from the north side of the station only.

The new facility will have:

• A more accessible ticket selling area
• Additional waiting areas
• Larger washroom facilities
• Shared GO Transit and Burlington transit lounge for riders
• A new electrical, mechanical and communication room
• Upgraded closed circuit TV, public address systems and information display
• A reconfigured bus loop to improve the traffic flow in south pawrking lot
• Extended roof line that will accommodate two new exterior bus shelters

[go_leafs_go02]

Doesn't this station already have 2-way all-way GO Train service?

[mattgrande]

No, trains only come during rush hour.

[matt602]

Which station was he referring to though? Burlington GO sees every day, two way service but the Hamilton TH&B station is only 4 trains outbound in the morning rush, 4 trains inbound in the afternoon on weekdays only. It's the only station on the Lakeshore West that doesn't see every day, two way service.

[mattgrande]

Yes, that's correct. I assumed he was referring to the Hamilton station, but the post above was about Burlington, so I don't know...

[thistleclub]

Two-way GO Trains by 2015, expanding to all-day service at a later date? Amaze!

Gridlock in the Hamilton-Toronto area to thicken if left unchecked: Metrolinx president
(Hamilton Spectator, Steve Arnold, Mar 7 2013)

The Big Move plan envisions development of 52 kilometres of new light-rail transit in the GTHA, 8.6 kilometres of new subways and 59 kilometres of new bus rapid transit in its first wave.

Second-phase projects include a light-rail system for Hamilton, GO Transit service from a new James Street North station in Hamilton and electrification of rail service along the Lakeshore corridor. Two-way GO service from Hamilton will start in 2015 during peak hours and for special events, expanding to all-day service later.

[matt602]

The plan was originally for all-day service by 2015. Looks like they've pushed that back...

[Innsertnamehere]

We will be lucky to have construction started by 2015, yet alone completion. Funding likely wont be secured until the end of the year, and that's if the liberals can get a budget through.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Are the NDP not on board? — politics.