GO Transit officials are considering up to 50 new locations to expand the Regional Express Network connecting Toronto to nearby regions such as Guelph and Oshawa.
“Recent investments in the transit network in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area provide an opportunity to consider new stations and the expansion of stations on the GO network,” Metrolinx said in a news release.
Metrolinx said the added stops will provide better access and service to passengers and create opportunities for Metrolinx to further develop the transit network.
“We’re going to have so many more customers and so much more service that we need more space,” said Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins.
Some new locations being considered for new GO Transit stations include Whites and Lakeridge roads on the Lakeshore East Line, a Gerrard Street stop on the Stouffville line, a St. Clair stop along the Kitchener corridor, and a Queen Street East station on the Richmond Hill line.
Metrolinx officials met on Tuesday to discuss the potential the benefits of each potential location.
“I think it’s first and foremost about how do we grow the choices that we give to people across the regions, so that they have more opportunities to access the (transit) system,” said Metrolinx CEO Bruce McCuaig.
The transit network says the next step is to create a shortlist of potential sites for new stations before moving on to assess the cost and logistics of each project.
Earlier this year, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne promised to invest $13.5 billion over the next decade towards creating a “transformational” regional GO rail system -- improving service for thousands of commuters.
GO Transit’s Regional Express Rail network is currently made up of seven lines with 63 stations that join up with 12 local transit networks in the GTA and surrounding regions.
With a report from Janice Golding
