Metrolinx Town Hall, November 28, 2018

We are working on a plan with the Cities of Mississauga and Toronto to extend the Eglinton Crosstown LRT with a stop at Renforth Station. The Eglinton Crosstown LRT spans from Kennedy Station in the east to Mt. Dennis Station (at Weston Road) in the west, and the planned Eglinton West LRT would extend the LRT service west to Renforth Station and Pearson Airport. The planned Eglinton West LRT is in the early planning and design stage, while the Eglinton Crosstown is on track to be complete in 2021. For more information about the Eglinton West LRT please visit the project website.

The GO loyalty program through PRESTO ensures no one ever overpays. When using PRESTO on GO, any trip after your 40th within a month is free. So if you travel more, you save money with PRESTO!  If you happen to travel less, you only pay for what you travel, which also saves you money.

We add service when and where we can. There are many factors that influence this, including available infrastructure, rail traffic and available equipment. We are continuing to expand service on the Lakeshore East line to make taking GO even better, faster and easier.  Learn more about our GO Expansion Business Case and stay tuned for more information about this. In the meantime, thank you for the feedback. We do take comments like this into account when planning future service increases.

We know this is a well-used station, and we know we need to make improvements to accommodate growth. We are reviewing how customers currently use the reserved parking program, as well as investigating options that are outlined in our GO Rail Station Access Plan.

http://www.metrolinx.com/en/regionalplanning/projectevaluation/studies/G...

In December 2017, York University welcomed the arrival of two new subway stations on their Keele campus. Since the opening, various transit agencies servicing the Keele campus have been making adjustments to better coordinate access for community members and visitors.

During the York University labour dispute, GO Transit buses were removed from campus and relocated. Following the end of the labour dispute, the University requested that buses not return to the Common, as it had plans to redevelop the Common into a pedestrianized area. Metrolinx negotiated a temporary return to the Common until January 2019 and also reviewed alternate options for continued service until June 2019. Despite best efforts, no safe and accessible option could be found for our GO buses and customers. A decision was made to relocate buses to the Highway 407 Bus Terminal starting January 5, 2019. We acknowledge that York University has now indicated that GO Transit buses are welcome to continue to serve the Common. Metrolinx has already advanced the process of shifting bus routes and resources to comply with York University’s original request. Continuing to serve the campus beyond January 5, 2019 is no longer an option. Unfortunately, the timelines for making changes to service have already passed.

This realignment of service has always been part of our plan to eventually move service from York University campus to the Hwy 407 Bus Terminal after it opened. Metrolinx extended its GO Transit bus service to campus for an additional year following the Highway 407 Bus Terminal opening to minimize financial impact to York University students. Students and staff who use PRESTO and transfer between GO buses and the TTC receive a discount of $1.50 on their fare.

Variable train lengths and configurations are planned for the future as we move forward with GO Expansion. The expansion plan will provide the additional rail infrastructure and layover sites to enable train coach joining and decoupling.

Great news! We are continuing to move forward with our GO expansion program by introducing new GO train service to commuters in Niagara, several years ahead of schedule! A morning train that currently starts from West Harbour will now start in Niagara Falls, stopping at St. Catharines before continuing on. An existing evening train from Union Station to West Harbour will now go on to serve St. Catharines and Niagara Falls.

We’re able to deliver these improvements now thanks to an even stronger working relationship with CN Railways. By finding smarter and better ways to work together, we’re significantly accelerating service improvements to these areas. Check out the new schedules on our website and use our trip planning tools for easier travel. Please use the new trip planner on our desktop and mobile websites to plan your trip. Sign up for On the GO alerts to receive timely, customized information about service changes and other GO news and follow us on Twitter.

We add service when and where we can. There are many factors that influence this, including available infrastructure, rail traffic, available equipment and ridership patterns. On the Richmond Hill corridor, there are a number of unique considerations that make expanding service decidedly more complex. These include:

• flooding in the lower Don River, which affects most of the corridor from Richmond Street to the Millwood Bridge;

• slow journey times due to indirect alignment and low track speeds;

• CN Rail ownership of the corridor north of Old ------, and conflicts with freight services; and

• proposed parallel transit improvements such as the Line 1 Subway extension to Richmond Hill, and the Downtown Relief Line to York Mills Road.

We will continue to seize opportunities to add more service on the Richmond Hill corridor in the years to come.

We know that parking at Mount Pleasant can be a challenge and we’re working to improve that. Customers are encouraged to explore other options to get to the station while we assess, including taking advantage of the reduced fare on Brampton Zum when connecting to GO services.

We apologize for your unfortunate experience. Our patrols routinely enforce no smoking, but we will ask that they pay particular attention at the Centennial station.

In December 2017, York University welcomed the arrival of two new subway stations on their Keele campus. Since the opening, various transit agencies servicing the Keele campus have been making adjustments to better coordinate access for community members and visitors.

During the York University labour dispute, GO Transit buses were removed from campus and relocated. Following the end of the labour dispute, the University requested that buses not return to the Common, as it had plans to redevelop the Common into a pedestrianized area. Metrolinx negotiated a temporary return to the Common until January 2019 and also reviewed alternate options for continued service until June 2019. Despite best efforts, no safe and accessible option could be found for our GO buses and customers. A decision was made to relocate buses to the Highway 407 Bus Terminal starting January 5, 2019. We acknowledge that York University has now indicated that GO Transit buses are welcome to continue to serve the Common. Metrolinx has already advanced the process of shifting bus routes and resources to comply with York University’s original request. Continuing to serve the campus beyond January 5, 2019 is no longer an option. Unfortunately, the timelines for making changes to service have already passed.

This realignment of service has always been part of our plan to eventually move service from York University campus to the Hwy 407 Bus Terminal after it opened. Metrolinx extended its GO Transit bus service to campus for an additional year following the Highway 407 Bus Terminal opening to minimize financial impact to York University students. Students and staff who use PRESTO and transfer between GO buses and the TTC receive a discount of $1.50 on their fare.

By focusing direct access on Highway 407 and TTC Line 1 Subway, customers can expect improved service reliability in the Keele Street and York University area, which can incur additional 20 minutes of travel time in peak hours due to traffic congestion. Metrolinx, including its operating divisions, remains committed to proceeding with plans to ensure compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) by or before 2025. We are continuing to make improvements and remove barriers in our services, to improve the experience for all customers, including those with disabilities. The new Highway 407 station is fully accessible to customers with disabilities. We will have timetables up in the near future.

Since 2009 we’ve increased service on the Milton line from 60 trips per week to 100, but we know the demand is there for more. The transformative potential of two-way, all-day service on the Milton corridor is well understood, but the corridor is owned and used for freight by CP. We will continue to work towards an agreement with our rail partners to improve service when and wherever possible.

You can learn more here: http://www.metrolinx.com/en/greaterregion/projects/milton-go-expansion.aspx.

Metrolinx is guided by the GO Rail Station Access Plan (2016) to develop alternatives and improve options for customers to access stations. Metrolinx provides a number of programs that support off-peak travellers including reserved parking, and a number of other parking programs (for example, carpool parking) that release to general use after 9:30.

In December 2017, York University welcomed the arrival of two new subway stations on their Keele campus. Since the opening, various transit agencies servicing the Keele campus have been making adjustments to better coordinate access for community members and visitors.

During the York University labour dispute, GO Transit buses were removed from campus and relocated. Following the end of the labour dispute, the University requested that buses not return to the Common, as it had plans to redevelop the Common into a pedestrianized area. Metrolinx negotiated a temporary return to the Common until January 2019 and also reviewed alternate options for continued service until June 2019. Despite best efforts, no safe and accessible option could be found for our GO buses and customers. A decision was made to relocate buses to the Highway 407 Bus Terminal starting January 5, 2019. We acknowledge that York University has now indicated that GO Transit buses are welcome to continue to serve the Common. Metrolinx has already advanced the process of shifting bus routes and resources to comply with York University’s original request. Continuing to serve the campus beyond January 5, 2019 is no longer an option. Unfortunately, the timelines for making changes to service have already passed.

This realignment of service has always been part of our plan to eventually move service from York University campus to the Hwy 407 Bus Terminal after it opened. Metrolinx extended its GO Transit bus service to campus for an additional year following the Highway 407 Bus Terminal opening to minimize financial impact to York University students. Students and staff who use PRESTO and transfer between GO buses and the TTC receive a discount of $1.50 on their fare.

Transit Safety monitors carpool parking regularly. If there is a specific location that requires attention, please let us know. https://www.gotransit.com/en/contact-us.

To support better transit connectivity, Metrolinx is currently undertaking a series of wayfinding pilot projects at stations throughout the GTHA. One of the goals of the pilot is to more clearly articulate what transit services are available, and maps showing connecting TTC services will be coming to both Weston and Bloor UP Express stations in the new year.

Thank you for your question. Local streets are under the purview of municipalities, and provincial highways are taken care of by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

Decisions regarding Bike Share station placement are made by the Toronto Parking Authority (TPA). The TPA completed a Feasibility Study in 2016 which highlighted Mimico and South Etobicoke areas as potential locations for future Bike Share expansions. These areas are currently being reviewed. We’ll continue to work with Bike Share Toronto and the Toronto Parking Authority to help people make seamless connections between public transit and their destinations.

In December 2017, York University welcomed the arrival of two new subway stations on their Keele campus. Since the opening, various transit agencies servicing the Keele campus have been making adjustments to better coordinate access for community members and visitors.

During the York University labour dispute, GO Transit buses were removed from campus and relocated. Following the end of the labour dispute, the University requested that buses not return to the Common, as it had plans to redevelop the Common into a pedestrianized area. Metrolinx negotiated a temporary return to the Common until January 2019 and also reviewed alternate options for continued service until June 2019. Despite best efforts, no safe and accessible option could be found for our GO buses and customers. A decision was made to relocate buses to the Highway 407 Bus Terminal starting January 5, 2019. We acknowledge that York University has now indicated that GO Transit buses are welcome to continue to serve the Common. Metrolinx has already advanced the process of shifting bus routes and resources to comply with York University’s original request. Continuing to serve the campus beyond January 5, 2019 is no longer an option. Unfortunately, the timelines for making changes to service have already passed.

This realignment of service has always been part of our plan to eventually move service from York University campus to the Hwy 407 Bus Terminal after it opened. Metrolinx extended its GO Transit bus service to campus for an additional year following the Highway 407 Bus Terminal opening to minimize financial impact to York University students. Students and staff who use PRESTO and transfer between GO buses and the TTC receive a discount of $1.50 on their fare.

We are always looking for ways to improve the customer experience. We understand that wi-fi is a very desired amenity for our customers. That's why we ran a wi-fi pilot on select trains and buses this summer. Implementing quality wi-fi on a bus and rail system as large as ours is a complex process. We are currently working towards offering a solution that provides the best value for Metrolinx and, ultimately, our customers. We hope to have an update for you in the new year.

While a gym car on a train would be a really neat idea, something like that is probably quite a ways off. In the meantime, have you tried the Quiet Zone? It's not exactly a gym, but it's pretty tranquil and might improve overall wellness! Thanks for again for reaching out.

Over the next few years, major improvements are coming to Rutherford GO including more parking. We’re working with our design team to ensure the new station meets your needs and those of the community. Please visit https://www.gotransit.com/en/the-future-go/improvements/rutherford for more information.

Great news! We are continuing to move forward with our GO expansion program by introducing new GO train service to commuters in Niagara, several years ahead of schedule! A morning train that currently starts from West Harbour will now start in Niagara Falls, stopping at St. Catharines before continuing on. An existing evening train from Union Station to West Harbour will now go on to serve St. Catharines and Niagara Falls.

Furthermore, we are planning to start service at Confederation station in Stoney Creek in 2019, and in Grimsby in 2021.

We would recommend that your email be added to our distribution lists so that you can receive future updates as they become available. We have separate lists for all of the new stations we are working on in the area, and we can add you to all of them or the ones that are of particular interest to you (Stoney Creek, Grimsby, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls).

Please email [email protected] to have your email added to our distribution lists.

All of the latest information about the expansion of GO service to Niagara Region is available at Metrolinx.com/niagara.

The Province and Metrolinx are working on a number of initiatives that will provide more options to allow for an integrated transportation network that means faster travels times, seamless connections and integrated fares between systems. In 2017, Metrolinx published a draft GTHA Fare Structure Preliminary Business Case that demonstrates strong benefits of a more integrated regional fare structure. We continue to develop detailed proposals, engage with stakeholders and further our technical analysis.

We just opened 250 parking spaces at East Gwillimbury GO Station, which is great news for customers. Due to local site constraints and property ownership surrounding the station, we cannot not build a parking structure at the station.

Great news! We are continuing to move forward with our GO expansion program by bringing more GO train service to commuters in Kitchener this January.  We’re giving customers more flexibility in their busy work days with extended morning and evening service between Kitchener and Georgetown en route to Union Station, as well as extended morning service out of Mount Pleasant and Brampton and another afternoon option for those travelling from Union Station to Bloor, Weston, Etobicoke North and Malton GO stations. These improvements bring us a step closer to delivering on our commitment of two-way all day service on the Kitchener GO line.

We’re able to deliver these improvements now thanks to an even stronger working relationship with CN Railways. By finding smarter and better ways to work together, we’re significantly accelerating service improvements to these areas. Check out the new schedules on our website and use our trip planning tools for easier travel. Please use the new trip planner on our desktop and mobile websites to plan your trip. Sign up for On the GO alerts to receive timely, customized information about service changes and other GO news and follow us on Twitter.

We are continuously evaluating the needs and opportunities for parking and station access at all of our stations. There are some challenges, but there are also solutions which we are working toward at each site.

Weston station provides improved access to a regional transit network for the local community. As a higher density urban neighbourhood, we encourage walking, transit, drop-off, and cycling solutions to connect to the station.

We add service when and where we can. There are many factors that influence this, including available infrastructure, rail traffic, available equipment and ridership patterns. We are continuing to expand service on the Lakeshore line to make taking GO even better, faster and easier.  Learn more about our GO Expansion Business Case http://www.metrolinx.com/en/docs/pdf/board_agenda/20181206/20181206_Boar... and stay tuned for more information about this. In the meantime, thank you for the feedback.

Metrolinx is committed to being transparent and as a public agency all of our finances are public available in our annual report. The 2017-2017 8etrolinx Annual Report can be found here: http://www.metrolinx.com/en/docs/pdf/board_agenda/20180914/20180914_Boar...

There are only wait times when you load your card online. The reason for the delay is that it takes time for PRESTO devices to be updated with transaction information.

Transaction times depend on how you choose to load your card and where you travel. If you ride on TTC buses and streetcars, GO Trains or OC Transpo, your load can be ready in as little as four hours. TTC fare gates are able to load the transaction to your card in 12 hours. The maximum time you may have to wait until your transaction is processed to all PRESTO devices is 24 hours, but it could be quicker depending on when the device you tap was last connected to the system. In many cases, devices maintain their connection with the system, meaning you will only need to wait four hours.

You can instantly load your card at any Shoppers Drug Mart location in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area or Ottawa, at a customer service outlet, or at a self-serve reload machine or fare vending machine that are located at stations.

Absolutely, the PRESTO card can already be used with any of those services – in fact, most transit agencies within the GTHA accept PRESTO. Metrolinx is working with all GTHA transit agencies towards better signs and maps to make it easier for customers to get around. A pilot is getting underway way now to test new designs. You can find more information here: http://www.metrolinx.com/en/greaterregion/projects/wayfinding.aspx.

We add and modify service when and where we can. There are many factors that influence this, including available infrastructure, rail traffic and available equipment. We are continuing to expand service on Stouffville line to make taking GO even better, faster and easier. Service on the Stouffville line will include even more frequent service during middays, evenings and weekends, and more service to and from Stouffville.

Learn more about our GO Expansion Business Case and stay tuned for more information about this program. In the meantime, many of our buses provide quick, convenient and affordable access to Toronto on the weekends, when highways are less congested and quicker to travel on.

We understand that wi-fi is a much desired amenity for our customers. That's why we ran a wi-fi pilot on select trains and buses this summer. Implementing quality wi-fi on a bus and rail system as large as ours is a complex process. We are currently working towards offering a solution that provides the best value for Metrolinx and, ultimately, our customers. We hope to have an update for you in the new year.

We understand that wi-fi is a much desired amenity for our customers. This past summer we evaluated several suppliers and ran a pilot on select trains and buses. Implementing quality wi-fi on a bus and rail system as large as ours is a complex process. We are currently working towards providing the solution that provides the best value for Metrolinx and, ultimately, our customers.

Noise and vibration studies have taken place for the communities adjacent to the rail corridor between Union Station and the Don River.

If 1) Noise is 5 dB or greater than today’s noise level (based on 2016 baseline levels); OR 2) There is an increase of vibration levels of 0.14mm/second or a 25%, whichever is higher, then noise and/or vibration mitigation measures must be investigated and implemented if it is feasible. However, the results of the study showed there was no need for a noise wall in this study area.

While a noise wall is not required, Metrolinx has been working with members of the communities on other noise mitigation options that go above and beyond the regulatory requirements.

Metrolinx is working with the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) to explore options to connect to their proposed Pearson Hub. Timelines are still to be determined. The study is being led by the GTAA; for more information please see https://www.torontopearson.com/gtaa.aspx#

We add service when and where we can. There are many factors that influence this, including available infrastructure, rail traffic, available equipment and ridership patterns. On the Richmond Hill corridor, there are a number of unique considerations that make expanding service decidedly more complex. These include:

• Flooding in the lower Don River, which affects most of the corridor from Richmond Street to the Millwood Bridge;

• Slow journey times due to indirect alignment and low track speeds;

• CN Rail ownership of the corridor north of Old ------, and conflicts with freight services; and

• Proposed parallel transit improvements such as the Line 1 Subway extension to Richmond Hill, and the Downtown Relief Line to York Mills Road.

We will continue to seize opportunities to add more service on the Richmond Hill corridor in the years to come.

Great news! We are continuing to move forward with our GO expansion program by bringing more GO train service to commuters in Kitchener this January.  We’re giving customers more flexibility in their busy work days with extended morning and evening service between Kitchener and Georgetown en route to Union Station, as well as extended morning service out of Mount Pleasant and Brampton and another afternoon option for those travelling from Union Station to Bloor, Weston, Etobicoke North and Malton GO stations. These improvements bring us a step closer to delivering on our commitment of two-way all day service on the Kitchener GO line.

We’re able to deliver these improvements now thanks to an even stronger working relationship with CN Railways. By finding smarter and better ways to work together, we’re significantly accelerating service improvements to these areas. Check out the new schedules on our website and use our trip planning tools for easier travel. Please use the new trip planner on our desktop and mobile websites to plan your trip. Sign up for On the GO alerts to receive timely, customized information about service changes and other GO news and follow us on Twitter.

We are planning to bring service to Confederation station in Stoney Creek by the end of 2019.

Please email us at [email protected] to join our email distribution list and stay up to date as we expand GO service to Stoney Creek.

There are currently no plans to explore an “over-the-highway” rail system. In order to help reduce congestion on the road network, Metrolinx is working closely with our Regional and Municipal partners across the GTHA to identify ways for providing improved transit connections, transit priority measures, a shift in travel behaviour, and more efficient travel across the Region. We monitor all corridors within the service area for travel patterns and ridership to determine potential service additions, adjustments, and infrastructure improvements.

Since 2009 we’ve increased service on the Milton line from 60 trips per week to 100, but we know the demand is there for more. The transformative potential of two-way, all-day service on the Milton corridor is well understood, but the corridor is owned and used for freight by CP. We will continue to work towards an agreement with our rail partners to improve service when and wherever possible.

You can learn more here: http://www.metrolinx.com/en/greaterregion/projects/milton-go-expansion.aspx.

The current Oriole temporary location will not have an indoor area, but the shelters on the platform are heated, so this should provide the respite from the cold. However, there will be an indoor waiting area at the new relocated Oriole GO Station, which will be integrated with the Leslie TTC station.

We’d be happy to answer your question but would need some clarification. Please provide more detail at metrolinxengage.com/en/contact

GO Expansion will transform service on the Kitchener corridor, bringing faster, better service to every stop along the line. Work on necessary infrastructure upgrades on the corridor has started, and we are working with CN to allow more service along sections of the rail corridor they own. We are moving forward with plans for two-way, all-day GO train service to Kitchener as quickly as possible.

We know that parking at Mount Pleasant can be a challenge and we’re working to improve that. Customers are encouraged to explore other options to get to the station while we assess, including taking advantage of the reduced fare on Brampton Zum when connecting to GO services.

We are continuing to move forward with our GO expansion program by bringing more GO train service to commuters in Kitchener this January. We’re giving customers more flexibility in their busy work days with extended morning and evening service between Kitchener and Georgetown en route to Union Station, as well as extended morning service out of Mount Pleasant and Brampton and another afternoon option for those travelling from Union Station to Bloor, Weston, Etobicoke North and Malton GO stations. These improvements bring us a step closer to delivering on our commitment of two-way all day service on the Kitchener GO line.

We’re able to deliver these improvements now thanks to an even stronger working relationship with CN Railways. By finding smarter and better ways to work together, we’re significantly accelerating service improvements to these areas. Check out the new schedules on our website and use our trip planning tools for easier travel. Please use the new trip planner on our desktop and mobile websites to plan your trip. Sign up for On the GO alerts to receive timely, customized information about service changes and other GO news and follow us on Twitter.

Metrolinx has a broader “support person” ticket option, which benefits all customers with disabilities or who require assistance during their trip. It’s available from our drivers or at our stations and allows the support person to travel at no charge. Please visit our GO Accessibility web page for more information: https://www.gotransit.com/en/travelling-with-us/accessibility/accessibility.

As part of the improvements at Union Station, we’re making improvements at the platform level to give you more efficient, frequent and comfortable GO service. This includes constructing a roof structure over the new platform to protect you and GO equipment from the weather.

There are currently no plans to close Weston station.

We agree that having access to real-time vehicle locations would be very helpful. Over the past year, we’ve introduced real-time bus trip information on digital signs at 14 GO bus terminals and stations. We know our customers would like the convenience of getting real-time bus information on their mobile devices and are working on ways to do that.  As always, we’ll be sure to share news about any new programs or services with our customers.

Since 2009 we’ve increased service on the Milton line from 60 trips per week to 100, but we know the demand is there for more. The transformative potential of two-way, all-day service on the Milton corridor is well understood, but the corridor is owned and used for freight by CP.

Passenger trains operate on the Milton corridor through an agreement between Metrolinx and CP.

However, we will continue to work towards more service when and wherever possible.

Enhancing the prosperity, sustainability, and quality of life of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area through a sustainable public transportation system is a critical priority for Metrolinx. The Metrolinx Sustainability Strategy 2015-2020 and the 2018 Metrolinx Climate Adaptation Strategy outline our goals and priorities and inform all aspects of how we plan, build and operate a safe and reliable regional transportation system in the face of a changing climate.

Metrolinx is committed to ensuring its stations and facilities operate efficiently. We’re looking at a variety of tools and techniques and considering opportunities to utilize renewable energy technologies, including electric buses. After monitoring industry development of electric buses that would be suitable for the long-distance nature of GO Bus travel, we’ll be running our first two fully electric coaches within the next 12-18 months.

Tripling the size of Canada’s busiest transportation hub is an enormous undertaking. We’re putting you first by trying to minimize service disruptions during the renovation by tackling the construction in phases.

We’re making improvements at the platform level to give you more efficient, frequent and comfortable GO service. These include:

• Building a new platform to reduce overcrowding during peak hours and add more train capacity to the station;

• Widening existing platforms to make your commute safer and more comfortable;

• Constructing an additional concourse area below the new platform to improve circulation through the station;

• Constructing a roof structure over the new platform to protect you and GO equipment from the weather.

Yes, we are aware of capacity constraints on UP Express. We're delighted people love it-it's a reliable, fast option between Toronto and Pearson Airport. We are currently looking at ways to improve the customer experience and optimize usage. We appreciate your suggestion-user feedback is critical in delivering a customer-first service.

You may also be interested to know that we are working with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority to explore potential rapid transit connections to Pearson Airport’s proposed Regional Transit and Passenger Centre. These plans are in the early stages, so stay tuned for updates.

Thank you for your comments. Highways are under the purview of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

Metrolinx has been asked by the Government of Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, Jeff Yurek, to adopt a transit oriented development market-driven approach to delivering new stations. This means new stations will advance in partnership with third party funders.  Metrolinx has consistently planned for the integration of transit and land-use, and this new approach is an exciting opportunity to move this plan forward with each new GO station. Not only can this approach save tax dollars it supports the creation of the new and seamlessly connected communities we have long envisioned. For more information please see the presentation at the December 6, 2018 board meeting.

We are always monitoring our services and modify where it makes sense for the regional network. In the meantime, local transit options are operated by the York Regional Transit agency. When combining your trip with GO, your YRT fare is only $1.00. Students and seniors are eligible for a reduced GO fare. Learn more at gotransit.com/fares.

TTC monthly and 12 month passes are currently available on PRESTO.

We add service when and where we can. There are many factors that influence this, including available infrastructure, rail traffic and available equipment. We are continuing to expand service on the Lakeshore East line to make taking GO even better, faster and easier.

Lakeshore East customers can expect 15-minute service or better all day, seven days a week. Learn more about our GO Expansion Business Case http://www.metrolinx.com/en/docs/pdf/board_agenda/20181206/20181206_BoardMtg_GO_Expansion_Full_Business_Case.PDF and stay tuned for more information about this program.

Currently, most of the Lakeshore East line has trains every 15 minutes during the midday, Monday to Friday, which is what the signs are meant to convey.

Park Lawn station is in the early planning and design stage. We recently completed an updated Initial Business Case (IBC) and have begun the next stage, Preliminary Design Business Case (PDBC). You can review the IBC here and note that we are currently tracking for the PDBC to be complete in 2019. At this time, it is too early to confirm the station design and layout.

We recognize that the minimum load requirement may be a barrier for some transit users and are looking into how we can improve this. The minimum load does not expire.

We add service when and where we can. There are many factors that influence this, including available infrastructure, rail traffic and available equipment. We are continuing to expand service on the Lakeshore East line to make taking GO even better, faster and easier. Lakeshore East customers can expect 15-minute service or better all day, seven days a week.

Learn more about our GO Expansion Business Case and stay tuned for more information about this program.

This program is administered by our fellow transit agencies, the TTC, YRT, Mississauga Transit and Brampton Transit Services. Please contact one of these agencies for more information.

We add service when and where we can. There are many factors that influence this, including available infrastructure, rail traffic and available equipment. We are continuing to expand service on Barrie line to make taking GO even better, faster and easier. Through the GO Expansion program service on the Barrie line is expected to increase and will include even more frequent service during middays, evenings and weekends, more service to and from Barrie, including some express service from stations along the line. Learn more about our GO Expansion Business Case and stay tuned for more information about this program.

Completed in 2007, Barrie South GO Station has a small footprint. Due to its size, local site constraints, and property ownership surrounding the station, we could build only one entrance to the station. We ask all customers using our facilities at Barrie South GO (and all our GO stations and facilities) to please proceed safely.

We understand that wi-fi is a very desired amenity for our customers. That's why we ran a wi-fi pilot on select trains and buses this summer. Implementing quality wi-fi on a bus and rail system as large as ours is a complex process. We are currently working towards offering a solution that provides the best value for Metrolinx and, ultimately, our customers. We hope to have an update for you in the new year.

We add and modify service when and where we can. There are many factors that influence this, including available infrastructure, rail traffic and available equipment. We are continuing to expand service on Stouffville line to make taking GO even better, faster and easier. Service on the Stouffville line will include even more frequent service during middays, evenings and weekends, and more service to and from Stouffville. Learn more about our GO Expansion Business Case and stay tuned for more information about this program.

In December 2017, York University welcomed the arrival of two new subway stations on their Keele campus. Since the opening, various transit agencies servicing the Keele campus have been making adjustments to better coordinate access for community members and visitors.

During the York University labour dispute, GO Transit buses were removed from campus and relocated. Following the end of the labour dispute, the University requested that buses not return to the Common, as it had plans to redevelop the Common into a pedestrianized area. Metrolinx negotiated a temporary return to the Common until January 2019 and also reviewed alternate options for continued service until June 2019. Despite best efforts, no safe and accessible option could be found for our GO buses and customers. A decision was made to relocate buses to the Highway 407 Bus Terminal starting January 5, 2019. We acknowledge that York University has now indicated that GO Transit buses are welcome to continue to serve the Common. Metrolinx has already advanced the process of shifting bus routes and resources to comply with York University’s original request. Continuing to serve the campus beyond January 5, 2019 is no longer an option. Unfortunately, the timelines for making changes to service have already passed.

This realignment of service has always been part of our plan to eventually move service from York University campus to the Hwy 407 Bus Terminal after it opened. Metrolinx extended its GO Transit bus service to campus for an additional year following the Highway 407 Bus Terminal opening to minimize financial impact to York University students. Students and staff who use PRESTO and transfer between GO buses and the TTC receive a discount of $1.50 on their fare.

We are continuously improving the PRESTO system and we value your feedback as we do so.

As you know, our Service Guarantee provides credits for train arrivals delayed 15 minutes or more due to reasons within our control.  PRESTO card holders must submit a claim at gotransit.com/guarantee within seven days of their delayed trip and they will be notified within five days whether their trip was eligible. If your claim is eligible, your credit will be then be applied to your PRESTO card. Simply tap your PRESTO card on a PRESTO device, and your balance will be updated with your credit immediately.

We add and modify service when and where we can. There are many factors that influence this, including available infrastructure, rail traffic and available equipment. We are continuing to expand service on Stouffville line to make taking GO even better, faster and easier. Service on the Stouffville line will include even more frequent service during middays, evenings and weekends, and more service to and from Stouffville.

Learn more about our GO Expansion Business Case and stay tuned for more information about this program. In the meantime, many of our buses provide quick, convenient and affordable access to Toronto on the weekends, when highways are less congested and quicker to travel on.

Half of the The Crosstown project is above ground. It will run underground for more than 10 km, from Keele Street to Laird Avenue, then above ground east to Kennedy Station. When completed it will actually be faster than a bus, streetcar or subway. http://www.metrolinx.com/.../grea.../projects/crosstown.aspx

GO Transit monitors all bus routes and rail corridors within the service area for travel patterns and ridership to determine potential service additions and adjustments. All service changes take into account broader service planning initiatives. Decisions on specific service changes take into consideration a number of factors including expected ridership, costs, fit with the overall network, and available resources (such as crewing, equipment, and track/platform availability). These decisions are based on a variety of sources, which include travel demand surveys, experience on existing services serving similar markets, feedback from customers, and input from municipal/regional staff.

Metrolinx and our transit partners are working together to make it better and easier for customers to take transit and part of that means providing a simple, seamless way to pay fares, no matter where you travel to or from, or the number of transit systems you use. Our priority is to ensure as many travellers as possible are able to access high-quality transit options.

Under the Discounted Double Fare program, customers who use PRESTO and transfer between GO and the TTC will get a discount on their fare: a savings of $1.50 for adults. In August 2018, the TTC launched a timed-transfer system that allows PRESTO customers the freedom of unlimited travel within two-hours with a single fare. We will continue to work with our transit partners in order to better serve our customers in the future.

Your question was answered during our Town Hall. Please see the video https://www.metrolinxengage.com/en/content/ask-metrolinx-november-28-2018 at the 01:21:48 mark.

Metrolinx has been asked by the Government of Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, Jeff Yurek, to adopt a transit oriented development market-driven approach to delivering new stations. This means new stations will advance as part of new property development plans in partnership with third party funders.  Metrolinx has consistently planned for the integration of transit and land-use, and this new approach is an exciting opportunity to move this plan forward with each new GO station. Not only can this approach save tax dollars it supports the creation of the new and seamlessly connected communities we have long envisioned. For more information please see the presentation at the December 6, 2018 board meeting.

Great news! We are continuing to move forward with our GO expansion program by bringing more GO train service to commuters in Kitchener this January.  We’re giving customers more flexibility in their busy work days with extended morning and evening service between Kitchener and Georgetown en route to Union Station, as well as extended morning service out of Mount Pleasant and Brampton and another afternoon option for those travelling from Union Station to Bloor, Weston, Etobicoke North and Malton GO stations. These improvements bring us a step closer to delivering on our commitment of two-way all day service on the Kitchener GO line.

We’re able to deliver these improvements now thanks to an even stronger working relationship with CN Railways. By finding smarter and better ways to work together, we’re significantly accelerating service improvements to these areas. Check out the new schedules on our website and use our trip planning tools for easier travel. Please use the new trip planner on our desktop and mobile websites to plan your trip. Sign up for On the GO alerts to receive timely, customized information about service changes and other GO news and follow us on Twitter.

The first eight new Tier 4 locomotives have been commissioned and are going into revenue service now. The next two have arrived for a total of ten. The remaining locomotives are complete and will be shipped and commissioned next year. Our plan is to have them all in service by March 2019.  Going forward, any new diesel locomotives we add to our fleet will be Tier 4.  The Tier 4 technology reduces diesel particulate emissions by about 85% and nitrogen oxide emissions by 75% compared to Tier 2 engines.

We know that parking at Mount Pleasant can be a challenge and we’re working to assess options to improve that. Customers are encouraged to explore other options to get to the station while we assess, including taking advantage of the reduced fare on Brampton Zum when connecting to GO services.

We know that parking at Mount Pleasant can be a challenge and we’re working to assess options to improve that. Customers are encouraged to explore other options to get to the station while we assess, including taking advantage of the reduced fare on Brampton Zum when connecting to GO services.

Great news! We are continuing to move forward with our GO expansion program by bringing more GO train service to commuters in Kitchener this January.  We’re giving customers more flexibility in their busy work days with extended morning and evening service between Kitchener and Georgetown en route to Union Station, as well as extended morning service out of Mount Pleasant and Brampton and another afternoon option for those travelling from Union Station to Bloor, Weston, Etobicoke North and Malton GO stations. These improvements bring us a step closer to delivering on our commitment of two-way all day service on the Kitchener GO line.

We’re able to deliver these improvements now thanks to an even stronger working relationship with CN Railways. By finding smarter and better ways to work together, we’re significantly accelerating service improvements to these areas. Check out the new schedules on our website and use our trip planning tools for easier travel. Please use the new trip planner on our desktop and mobile websites to plan your trip. Sign up for On the GO alerts to receive timely, customized information about service changes and other GO news and follow us on Twitter.

Please contact the TTC to let them know about turnstile malfunctions at https://ttc.ca/Contact_Us/index.jsp.

Metrolinx is committed to sustainability and reducing energy consumption, GHG emissions, and criteria air contaminants by 2020, keeping with the provincial targets to reduce the emissions causing climate change and other air issues. The Metrolinx Sustainability Strategy 2015-2020 and the 2018 Metrolinx Climate Adaptation Strategy outline our goals and priorities and inform all aspects of how we plan, build and operate a safe and reliable regional transportation system in the face of a changing climate.

We are planning to operate two-way all-day train service between Hamilton and downtown Toronto by 2025. Of course, this is dependent on discussions with CN and CP, which own segments of the rail corridor west of Burlington. Hamilton has two GO stations, and planning is underway to extend GO train service 60 kilometres to Niagara Falls by 2023. This includes rail service to Stoney Creek in 2019, at a new Confederation GO Station with train and bus services integrated. There are no plans to add the necessary infrastructure to serve Hamilton Mountain.

Thank you for your comment. If you have a specific question, please fill out the form here: https://www.metrolinxengage.com/en/contact

One of PRESTO’s key priorities is extending our footprint and that means making PRESTO available to new agencies throughout the region who are interested. We welcome any conversations with other transit services.  

Also, please note that PRESTO can be used on any GO Transit service that extends through these municipalities.

Great news! We are continuing to move forward with our GO expansion program by bringing more GO train service to commuters in Kitchener this January.  We’re giving customers more flexibility in their busy work days with extended morning and evening service between Kitchener and Georgetown en route to Union Station, as well as extended morning service out of Mount Pleasant and Brampton and another afternoon option for those travelling from Union Station to Bloor, Weston, Etobicoke North and Malton GO stations. These improvements bring us a step closer to delivering on our commitment of two-way all day service on the Kitchener GO line.

We’re able to deliver these improvements now thanks to an even stronger working relationship with CN Railways. By finding smarter and better ways to work together, we’re significantly accelerating service improvements to these areas. Check out the new schedules on our website and use our trip planning tools for easier travel. Please use the new trip planner on our desktop and mobile websites to plan your trip. Sign up for On the GO alerts to receive timely, customized information about service changes and other GO news and follow us on Twitter.

Eglinton LRT Station will be provided with the main entrance building at southwest of the intersection and will have direct underground access from four corner buildings at Yonge/Eglinton intersection, as well as direct connection to TTC subway and bus terminal.

We are unaware of any other access points or discussions for additional access points, particularly as it relates to the development at 2131 Yonge Street.

Thank you for your feedback, we will take a look at what’s in place at the station. Metrolinx is working with all GTHA transit agencies towards better signs and maps to make it easier for customers to get around. A pilot is getting underway way now to test new designs. You can find more information here: http://www.metrolinx.com/en/greaterregion/projects/wayfinding.aspx.

Great news! We are continuing to move forward with our GO expansion program by bringing more GO train service to commuters in Kitchener this January.  We’re giving customers more flexibility in their busy work days with extended morning and evening service between Kitchener and Georgetown en route to Union Station, as well as extended morning service out of Mount Pleasant and Brampton and another afternoon option for those travelling from Union Station to Bloor, Weston, Etobicoke North and Malton GO stations. These improvements bring us a step closer to delivering on our commitment of two-way all day service on the Kitchener GO line.

We’re able to deliver these improvements now thanks to an even stronger working relationship with CN Railways. By finding smarter and better ways to work together, we’re significantly accelerating service improvements to these areas. Check out the new schedules on our website and use our trip planning tools for easier travel. Please use the new trip planner on our desktop and mobile websites to plan your trip. Sign up for On the GO alerts to receive timely, customized information about service changes and other GO news and follow us on Twitter.

Your question was answered during our Town Hall. Please see the video https://www.metrolinxengage.com/en/content/ask-metrolinx-november-28-2018 at the 01:21:48 mark.

As part of our GO Expansion plan, we’re building a parking garage with integrated station building at Maple GO Station, which will provide 1200 net-new parking spaces at the station. Construction is expected to begin approximately in 2019 and be completed by approximately 2023.

We add service when and where we can. There are many factors that influence this, including available infrastructure, rail traffic, available equipment and ridership patterns.

Since 2009 we’ve increased service on the Milton line from 60 trips per week to 100, but we know the demand is there for more. The transformative potential of two-way, all-day service on the Milton corridor is well understood, but the corridor is owned and used for freight by CP. Passenger trains operate on the Milton corridor through an agreement between Metrolinx and CP.

On the Richmond Hill corridor, there are a number of unique considerations that make expanding service decidedly more complex. These include:

• Flooding in the lower Don River, which affects most of the corridor from Richmond Street to the Millwood Bridge;

• Slow journey times due to indirect alignment and low track speeds;

• CN Rail ownership of the corridor north of Old ------, and conflicts with freight services; and

• Proposed parallel transit improvements such as the Line 1 Subway extension to Richmond Hill, and the Downtown Relief Line to York Mills Road.

We will continue to seize opportunities to add more service on the Richmond Hill and Milton corridors in the years to come.

We add service when and where we can. There are many factors that influence this, including available infrastructure, rail traffic and available equipment. We are continuing to expand service on the Lakeshore East line to make taking GO even better, faster and easier. Lakeshore East customers can expect 15-minute service or better all day, seven days a week.

Learn more about our GO Expansion Business Case and stay tuned for more information about this program. Thank you for your feedback. We'll be sure to share it.

The TTC and PRESTO have been working on a technical solution to enable PRESTO card customers to use their card to pay both fares on these routes, however this is more of a complex undertaking than other past product implementations and further refinements are needed before Downtown Express bus payment can be introduced on PRESTO.

The reason this is so difficult to implement is because, while devices can be programed to deduct the double fare, buses equipped with these devices might not always serve the same route. Incorporating the need for operational flexibility has thus required additional refinement.

The Hamilton LRT project continues to move forward ahead of construction beginning late 2019. Procurement is currently underway. The Request for Proposals to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Hamilton LRT project for a 30-year term was issued on April 13, 2018 to three shortlisted teams.

VIVA is operated by the York Region Rapid Transit Corporation. You may wish to contact them here: http://www.vivanext.com/contact

Great news! We are continuing to move forward with our GO expansion program by bringing more GO train service to commuters in Kitchener this January.  We’re giving customers more flexibility in their busy work days with extended morning and evening service between Kitchener and Georgetown en route to Union Station, as well as extended morning service out of Mount Pleasant and Brampton and another afternoon option for those travelling from Union Station to Bloor, Weston, Etobicoke North and Malton GO stations. These improvements bring us a step closer to delivering on our commitment of two-way all day service on the Kitchener GO line.

We’re able to deliver these improvements now thanks to an even stronger working relationship with CN Railways. By finding smarter and better ways to work together, we’re significantly accelerating service improvements to these areas. Check out the new schedules on our website and use our trip planning tools for easier travel. Please use the new trip planner on our desktop and mobile websites to plan your trip. Sign up for On the GO alerts to receive timely, customized information about service changes and other GO news and follow us on Twitter.

In December 2017, York University welcomed the arrival of two new subway stations on their Keele campus. Since the opening, various transit agencies servicing the Keele campus have been making adjustments to better coordinate access for community members and visitors.

During the York University labour dispute, GO Transit buses were removed from campus and relocated. Following the end of the labour dispute, the University requested that buses not return to the Common, as it had plans to redevelop the Common into a pedestrianized area. Metrolinx negotiated a temporary return to the Common until January 2019 and also reviewed alternate options for continued service until June 2019. Despite best efforts, no safe and accessible option could be found for our GO buses and customers. A decision was made to relocate buses to the Highway 407 Bus Terminal starting January 5, 2019. We acknowledge that York University has now indicated that GO Transit buses are welcome to continue to serve the Common. Metrolinx has already advanced the process of shifting bus routes and resources to comply with York University’s original request. Continuing to serve the campus beyond January 5, 2019 is no longer an option. Unfortunately, the timelines for making changes to service have already passed.

This realignment of service has always been part of our plan to eventually move service from York University campus to the Hwy 407 Bus Terminal after it opened. Metrolinx extended its GO Transit bus service to campus for an additional year following the Highway 407 Bus Terminal opening to minimize financial impact to York University students. Students and staff who use PRESTO and transfer between GO buses and the TTC receive a discount of $1.50 on their fare.

By focusing direct access on Highway 407 and TTC Line 1 Subway, customers can expect improved service reliability in the Keele Street and York University area, which can incur additional 20 minutes of travel time in peak hours due to traffic congestion. Metrolinx, including its operating divisions, remains committed to proceeding with plans to ensure compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) by or before 2025. We are continuing to make improvements and remove barriers in our services, to improve the experience for all customers, including those with disabilities. The new Highway 407 station is fully accessible to customers with disabilities. We will have timetables up in the near future.

We would be happy to answer your question but we need some clarification please. Please let us know at https://www.metrolinxengage.com/en/contact.

We add service when and where we can. There are many factors that influence this, including available infrastructure, rail traffic and available equipment. We are continuing to expand service on the Lakeshore East line to make taking GO even better, faster and easier. Lakeshore East customers can expect 15-minute service or better all day, seven days a week.

Learn more about our GO Expansion Business Case and stay tuned for more information about this program. Thank you for your feedback. We'll be sure to share it.

Your question was answered during our Town Hall. Please see the video https://www.metrolinxengage.com/en/content/ask-metrolinx-november-28-2018 at the 00:24:44 mark.

The five-year EV charging pilot revealed low demand for the charging stations overall (average of less than one charging session per day per station) and the program was operating at a loss, with its costs exceeding its revenue. We strive to balance our commitment to sustainability while providing the best value to customers. As we expand and connect transit service across the region, we must spend public dollars wisely.

It should also be noted that the charging equipment was not ours, and needed to be returned to our third-party vendor.

Lastly, you may be interested to know that we are now exploring opportunities for third-party funding of EV charging options at our GO stations. We'll share more information as it becomes available.

Great news! We are continuing to move forward with our GO expansion program by bringing more GO train service to commuters in Kitchener this January.  We’re giving customers more flexibility in their busy work days with extended morning and evening service between Kitchener and Georgetown en route to Union Station, as well as extended morning service out of Mount Pleasant and Brampton and another afternoon option for those travelling from Union Station to Bloor, Weston, Etobicoke North and Malton GO stations. These improvements bring us a step closer to delivering on our commitment of two-way all day service on the Kitchener GO line.

We’re able to deliver these improvements now thanks to an even stronger working relationship with CN Railways. By finding smarter and better ways to work together, we’re significantly accelerating service improvements to these areas. Check out the new schedules on our website and use our trip planning tools for easier travel. Please use the new trip planner on our desktop and mobile websites to plan your trip. Sign up for On the GO alerts to receive timely, customized information about service changes and other GO news and follow us on Twitter.

The Milton GO corridor is our 3rd busiest line and we recognize the demand for more service on this vital part of the network. As you know, it's owned by CP and any increases in service require their agreement. We continue to work towards expanding service on the Milton line, please see our GO Expansion webpage for more information: http://www.metrolinx.com/en/greaterregion/projects/milton-go-expansion.aspx.

Our needs in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area and Ottawa are unique and we needed a customized solution to meet those needs. The PRESTO system seamlessly connects 11 separate transit agencies each with distinct fare policies and structures. With our investment, we’ve made it easier and more seamless to take transit throughout the GTHA and Ottawa.

With a PRESTO card, customers can access vehicles and stations with a simple tap, can protect their balance in the event that their card is lost or stolen, and set up Autoload/Autorenew so they never have to worry about topping up their balance or passes.

To make trips easier while improving passenger accessibility, we continue to build more stairs and elevators to train platforms, and repair existing ones.

Metrolinx  avoids using escalators for a couple of reasons; escalators push people onto potentially crowded platforms, which could create a safety issue. Additionally, they do not perform well in harsh weather and the salt and sand used on the platforms cause premature wear and tear.

Other related improvements underway at Union Station include:

• Adding stairs and elevators between concourses and platforms, with elevator access to all GO platforms;

• Better access to the concourse and platforms from York East;

• Direct stair and elevator access to the Great Hall from the York Concourse;

• Escalators to the new retail level.

Your question was answered during our Town Hall. Please see the video https://www.metrolinxengage.com/en/content/ask-metrolinx-november-28-2018 at the 00:09:18 mark.