Metrolinx is increasing rail service starting Aug. 7 as riders continue to return to transit. 

The changes will offer more flexibility in scheduling and planning trips for customers heading back to work, while using GO to also reconnect with friends and family, as well as attend sporting events and concerts.  

The news includes the announcement of all-day, hourly trips between Hamilton’s West Harbour GO and Union Station, as travel across the Greater Golden Horseshoe is getting easier.

Want to see the story on that? Here it is.

All day GO train service coming to Hamilton this summer

On weekdays, in addition to the new trips to West Harbour GO, Lakeshore line customers will have more frequent peak and midday travel options. And customers on the Barrie, Kitchener and Stouffville lines will have more options on weekday evenings.  

On weekends, Barrie and Stouffville line customers will be able to take advantage of hourly service, offering more options to get into the city or outside to explore; however, Barrie customers will have to wait an extra week for the additional weekend service on their line. That service starts up on Aug.14, as rail service on the line will be replaced by buses Aug. 7 and 8 to complete important upgrades to support expanded GO service in the future.  

Here are the highlights of the new service, with schedules available on the GO Transit website. 

Lakeshore East and West lines 

• New hourly train service into and out of West Harbour GO seven days a week, including two reinstated weekday morning eastbound departures to Union and two afternoon westbound trips from Union Station to West Harbour GO.  
• As well, resuming two morning eastbound trips from Hamilton GO Centre to Union Station and two afternoon westbound trips from Union Station back to Hamilton GO Centre.  
• During the weekdays on the Lakeshore East and West lines, reinstated 15-minute peak and midday service between Oakville and Oshawa GO stations. 

Kitchener line 

• On weekday evenings, Kitchener line customers travelling between Mount Pleasant GO and Union will have two additional westbound trips, departing Union at 7:34 p.m. and 8:34 p.m., and an additional eastbound trip to Union, at 8:40 p.m.  
• Customers travelling between Kitchener GO and Union will have one additional eastbound trip to Union, departing at 8:39 p.m., and an additional westbound trip to Kitchener GO, departing at 9:34 p.m. 

Barrie Line  

• Also on weekday evenings, Barrie line customers travelling between Aurora GO and Union will have three additional northbound trips, departing Union at 6:53 p.m., 7:53 p.m. and 8:53 p.m. and two additional southbound trips, departing Aurora GO at 7:57 p.m. and 8:57 p.m.  
• Customers travelling between Allandale Waterfront GO and Union will have one additional trip in each direction, northbound at 9:53 p.m. and southbound to Union at 9:08 p.m. Bradford GO customers will also have an additional trip from Union departing at 10:53 p.m. 
• Starting August 14, hourly weekend service will start on the Barrie line, with one additional trip in each direction between Allandale Waterfront GO and Union Station. 

Stouffville Line 

• Hourly weekend train service will also be reinstated on the Stouffville line between Mount Joy GO and Union Station, with some trips extended between Lincolnville GO and Union Station. 

For GO bus customers, a number of bus trips will be replaced with trains and some schedules are being adjusted to connect with the returning train service, so customers accustomed to taking the bus should check schedules before they head out. 

Weekend travellers can save money with GO Transit’s new Weekend Pass options, offering $10 unlimited one-day travel or $15 unlimited weekend travel. 

For customers returning transit for the first time in a while, a lot has changed. Metrolinx has implemented dozens of safety measures to ensure trains, buses and stations are clean and provide a safe transit option. Face coverings are still mandatory, even for fully vaccinated customers.  

 Want more info? Check out this handy refresher on what’s the same and what’s different as you get ready to ride  

While COVID kept most transit riders at home much changed on GO Transit