Ontario Launching GO Train Service to London, extending Kitchener line with new stops in Southwestern Ontario

NEWS RELEASE

Ontario Launching GO Train Service to London

Province extending Kitchener line with new stops in Southwestern Ontario

LONDON — The Ontario government is expanding GO train service to Southwestern Ontario with weekday trips between London and Toronto. The new service will also connect customers to Stratford and St. Marys using GO Transit services.
“The people of Southwestern Ontario deserve better access to a safe and reliable transportation network,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “Under Premier Ford’s leadership, we are taking concrete action and keeping our promise to extend much-needed GO service all the way to London for the first time.”
Beginning October 18, 2021, Metrolinx will provide weekday GO train trips between London and Union Station in Toronto. The pilot project will include one trip leaving from London in the early morning, and one return trip in the evening. The new service will extend beyond GO Transit’s Kitchener line and also include stops in St. Marys and Stratford.
“Today’s announcement to extend GO train service to London is part of our transportation plan for Southwestern Ontario, providing another option that will benefit individuals, families and workers in the region,” said Stan Cho, Associate Minister of Transportation. “We are keeping our promise to support local communities and reduce congestion through a better-connected transit network.”
The province is working closely with VIA Rail and CN to extend service and explore ways to improve the speed and frequency of passenger rail service. By investing in a fully integrated transit network, Ontario continues to support the growth and transformation of cities and their greater regions across the province.

Quick Facts

The trip from London to Toronto’s Union Station will take approximately four hours. Between London and Kitchener will take approximately two hours.

The province worked alongside transit partners including VIA Rail for the use of their stations and CN for access to the corridor.

Southwestern Ontario is experiencing incredible growth, with an estimated 1.98 million people calling the region home by 2041.

Increasing options for passengers travelling between London and Toronto is one of over 40 actions in Connecting the Southwest: A Draft Transportation Plan for Southwestern Ontario. The Southwestern Ontario Transportation Task Force, formed in January 2021, will continue to explore opportunities to build an integrated transportation system across all modes, including rail, bus, and local transit services.

Quotes

“For years, people have expressed interest in GO train service through Perth-Wellington. I have spoken up for our area many times on this issue since I was first elected in 2011. Today’s announcement is fantastic news for Stratford, St. Marys, and Perth County. I want to thank local municipalities for making the case, and the provincial government for following through.”
– Randy Pettapiece
MPP for Perth—Wellington
“Better transportation means more people in our community will be able to reach jobs and critical services, visit family and friends and have access to safe and reliable transportation that will get them where they need to go that much faster.”
– Monte McNaughton
MPP for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex
“This is great news for London and Southwestern Ontario. The London rail extension is fulfilling an important part of our regional transportation plan. Increased transportation choices facilitate improved movement of people and goods which translates into economic opportunities for our region.”
– Jeff Yurek
MPP for Elgin—Middlesex—London
“This is another big win for Kitchener and our government’s vision for integrated transit in the province. We are connecting people to places and creating a globally competitive economy through reliable transit.”
– Amy Fee
MPP for Kitchener South—Hespeler
“The London rail extension on the Kitchener corridor will provide direct inter-regional connections to Guelph and Waterloo Region, offering even more choice and convenience when taking public transit for residents in our region and beyond.”
– Mike Harris
MPP for Kitchener—Conestoga
“We’re so pleased to expand GO train service to Southwestern Ontario for the first time, connecting to three new municipalities and extending our network an additional 120 kilometres across one of the province’s fastest growing regions. By extending service to London, we’re building a transit network that will help better move people and better connect communities for decades to come.”
– Phil Verster
President and CEO of Metrolinx
“I want to thank the provincial government for making headway in our vision for more connections to transportation in Southwestern Ontario. Londoners need and deserve access to increased transportation options, and by extending GO rail service into southwestern Ontario, we are keeping our promise to enhance economic productivity and business opportunities, while also supporting healthier, more connected communities.”
– Ed Holder
Mayor of London