All day, 2-way GO could arrive in KW as early as 2025, Metrolinx report says

An updated business case for expanded GO service says two-way commuter trains could be running through the region as soon as 2025 if the province gives the green light.

Metrolinx, the agency that runs GO service, will present its plan at its board meeting this week.

"I think it's great news ... we've been calling on Metrolinx and the government to have a plan with targets," said Ian McLean, the president of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and a member of the advocacy group Connect the Corridor.

"We need this if you're going to move people — the talent — to the jobs that are available and create economic growth and prosperity in the province of Ontario," said McLean.

2-way, all-day GO

The plan from Metrolinx, which would cost more than $1-billion dollars, would see two trains per hour in weekday peak periods, running both ways between Kitchener and Union Station.

It would also include one train per hour in weekday off-peak periods, running both ways. And it would expand to weekend service, running one train every two hours, both ways. 

Currently, trains only run in one direction twice a day and there's no weekend service.

The revised plan includes two potential options: the first would run a new freight rail corridor from Brampton to Milton, freeing capacity for an increase in passenger rail service.

The second would be a "minimal infrastructure" approach, operating on the Halton Subdivision line. It would include improvements to the line, such as level crossing upgrades.

Both proposals add a station near Breslau, east of Kitchener. 

How firm is the timeline?

The plan from Metrolinx pegs the target date for operation in 2025. But, the report says the actual delivery time will depend on funding decisions, environmental assessments, design and construction.

It adds that the timeline would be a "significant challenge" for the freight rail corridor option.

Waterloo Mayor Dave Jaworsky says the sooner the service is provided, the more the region will benefit.

"We'd like to see all-day train service here as soon as possible in the next few years," said Jaworsky.

"I think we wish [the timeline] would be sooner but that may be the date we're going to live with."