April GO service changes to include new Kitchener Line trips

Schedule adjustments start April 5.

March 14 - Each April, Metrolinx makes some schedule adjustments to best meet the travel needs of the region. Starting, April 5, GO Transit customers will see more train service and bus changes that enhance connectivity across the region.

Detailed schedules will be available on Wednesday, March 19.

For now, here’s what to know about the upcoming GO schedule changes:

• More train service is coming to the Kitchener GO Line, including more express options between Kitchener GO and Union Station, and six new trips between Malton/Bramalea GO and Union Station.
• GO Explore bus services return with new routes and locations serving attractions across the region like Canada’s Wonderland, Toronto Zoo, Toronto Premium Outlets, and connecting the Waterloo region with GO Bus service to Niagara Falls.
• Similar to past years, service will be temporarily reduced for the season for some GO buses that serve post-secondary institutions.

Keep reading to get even for more details on the changes.

New GO train trips and schedule changes

By adding more GO train trips, Metrolinx is connecting people to more places, employment and opportunities across the region.

Starting April 5, the transit agency will be adding more express GO train options between Kitchener GO and Union Station to help get customers where they need to go faster and easier.

Three existing morning trips and one existing afternoon rush-hour trip on the Kitchener Line will now run express – cutting down the commute time for some of these trips by approximately 10 minutes. To complement the express trips, Metrolinx is also adding six new all-stops weekday trips between Union Station and Bramalea or Malton GO, to make sure customers get frequent service along the line.

There is a new trip coming to the Lakeshore East GO Line. The new morning rush-hour weekday train will leave from Whitby GO, making all stops to Union Station.

Metrolinx is also adjusting schedules along the Lakeshore West, Barrie, Stouffville and Richmond Hill GO lines. Some rush-hour trips will have earlier departure times.

To get exact train times, customers are encouraged to check schedules in advance on the GO Transit website and plan their trip ahead of time.

GO Explore bus changes

Also starting April 5, GO Explore bus services return with new routes and locations serving attractions across the region like Canada’s Wonderland, Toronto Zoo, Niagara Falls and Toronto Premium Outlets.

Waterloo Region/Burlington - Route 17B: This new service will run between University of Waterloo and Burlington GO, also stopping at Wilfrid Laurier University and Kitchener GO. It will connect to GO Bus Route 12 to get customers to Niagara Falls. The service will run on weekends from April 5 to Aug. 24.

Toronto Premium Outlets - Route 25K: This new service will connect Toronto Premium Outlets directly to the TTC subway at Kipling station. It will also connect customers to Square One, Dixie Transitway, Renforth Transitway, and Kipling GO. Service will run on weekends from April 5 to Aug. 24.

Canada’s Wonderland - Routes 47 and 52: These two seasonal routes will serve Canada’s Wonderland on weekends from May 10 to Aug. 24.

Toronto Zoo - Route 96: This seasonal route will serve the Toronto Zoo on weekends from April 5 to Aug. 24.

GO bus service will also be reduced starting April 5 on some routes serving post-secondary institutions due to decreased demand as classes end for the school term. Service will continue in the meantime to get students to end of term exams. As usual, service levels on these bus routes will return in time for the new fall semester.

It’s recommended that GO Transit customers check their schedule in advance and plan their trip ahead of time. Schedules will be available Wednesday. March 19.

Metrolinx is always making it more convenient and affordable to choose transit. The One Fare program is making it more affordable to transfer between TTC, GO Transit and participating local transit systems. Learn about saving money with One Fare, find out about the latest PRESTO Perks, and get a digital PRESTO card in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for free and simply tap to pay your fare.

For accredited journalists, you can contact our media team at mediarelations@metrolinx.com.

For customers, please visit Metrolinx – Contact Us to contact the Community Engagement team.