Customers and community members engage with transit leaders during a meeting in Vaughan.

They arrived with questions.

And scores of local residents and community members from all across York region were eager to learn about transit plans for their area, during a June 24 Metrolinx town hall at Vaughan City Hall.

From operational costs to train service as well as bus route changes, Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster, joined by members of the senior management team, answered questions from an engaged and passionate crowd. It was the latest stop in a continuing town hall tour of communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe region.

Among the questions was whether there would be more trains during rush hour on the Richmond Hill line, a popular service for weekday commuters.

“The huge expansion of subways into York Region is going to be beneficial for customers, commuters and riders,” said Verster.

“The thing to keep an eye on is the increase in frequency in the years to come.”

When asked about a number of empty seats on Barrie Line trains on weekends, Verster said there is a need for those trains, and that ridership will build over time.

Verster was pleased with the town hall as he saw it as a vital opportunity to learn from the people that matter most to the organization.

“These meetings are always insightful – we listen and consider their advice,” said Verster.

Couldn’t make it to the Town Hall in Vaughan? Watch the full video of the event here:

A final date for the next Metrolinx Town Hall has yet to be confirmed but it is planned for September, in Peel region.