Niagara not mentioned in GO Transit expansion plan
Niagara Falls mayor optimistic Metrolinx will announce local adjustments
It doesn’t appear Niagara will be part of GO Transit’s largest service expansion in 11 years.
But Metrolinx remains committed to improving rail service in the region, Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati said.
“I know they’re considering adjustments to departure times and the reason is mostly to better match up ridership with events,” said Diodati, adding there have been complaints from Niagara riders about the feasibility of getting to certain Toronto Blue Jays games.
“(GO train service between Niagara and Toronto has seen) a huge improvement and obviously it’s reflected in ridership because ridership is way up, but there’s still some tweaks that need to be made.”
Diodati said he expressed as much to Phil Verster, chief executive officer of Metrolinx, “and so we’re hoping by the end of March, they’ll announce some adjustments.”
In its largest service expansion since 2013, GO Transit will be introducing 308 new weekly rail trips April 28, according to an update from Metrolinx that was mistakenly published early.
While the original post from Metrolinx, which owns and operates GO Transit, has since been taken down, it has been shared on Reddit.
This expansion would mean a 15 per cent increase in present GO Transit service.
The update includes increased frequencies between Oakville and Toronto and Oshawa and Toronto, along with Kitchener, Milton and Barrie — but doesn’t make any direct mention of Niagara.
The transit agency is expected to officially announce the service and scheduling changes at a later date.
Metrolinx did not return requests for comment.
Diodati said he hasn’t heard of any impending increase of service for Niagara, but added the push is to “first tweak what you have and then see how it plays out with the idea of eventual expansion.”
There are now three train trips in both directions, seven days a week, between the downtown Niagara Falls GO station on Bridge Street and Union Station in Toronto. The service runs throughout the year. Departure times and dates can be found at gotransit.com/ en/see-schedules.
Diodati said he has talked to many riders from Niagara that use the service and said “some of the times don’t make any sense.”
He said Metrolinx is considering adding trains April 8 to accommodate what’s expected to be large crowds for the total solar eclipse. The Blue Jays’ home opener is also that day.
In January, Metrolinx said GO ridership to and from Niagara Falls increased by 67 per cent in 2023.
Metrolinx said 630,056 riders got on and off the train at the Niagara Falls GO station for both rail and bus last year. That’s up from 377,744 in 2022.
The provincial Crown agency said the growth can be attributed to many factors, including service on weekdays and weekends being expanded in May to give customers more travel options between Toronto and Niagara Falls, and departure times were adjusted to better accommodate tourism and baseball schedules.
GO Transit also collaborated with Niagara Falls Tourism to highlight local events and attractions such as Niagara-onthe-Lake, the Winer Festival of Lights, Niagara IceDogs and the Niagara Falls Santa Claus Parade.
Metrolinx said it continues to work with partners to “explore ways to increase service” between Toronto and Niagara.
Diodati said he expects to see continued incremental service and infrastructure improvements if Metrolinx continues to see growth in Niagara ridership.
“It’s a huge success. You’ve got two solid anchors. You’ve got Toronto and Niagara Falls, so everybody in between benefits and we know they’re paying attention,” he said.