Two-way all-day GO train service on Kitchener Line moves a step closer

Province says about 2.3 million people and 1.4 million jobs will be located within 5 km of an existing GO station along the Kitchener line

TORONTO — Today, the province and Metrolinx released the Preliminary Design Business Case that highlights the benefits of the two-way, all-day GO service project including more train service and shorter travel times as well as a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to add new station platforms and track upgrades. The Kitchener GO Rail Expansion project is part of the government’s plan to spark investment and support population growth in the Waterloo Region.

The announcement was made by Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation, Kinga Surma, Associate Minister of Transportation (GTA), Mike Harris, MPP for Kitchener–Conestoga and Amy Fee, MPP for Kitchener South–Hespeler.

“Our government is taking action to deliver significant advancements to GO service between Toronto and Kitchener that will bring more trips at every point along the line,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “This project will help build fast, frequent and reliable transit that will better support families and businesses along the entire corridor.”

The release of the Preliminary Design Business Case for Kitchener GO Rail Service Expansion highlights benefits including significant travel time savings for GO riders with train service every 15 minutes on core segments. The Kitchener line is projected to have 39,000 jobs and an estimated 54,000 residents living within approximately 10 minutes walking distance from a station with two-way, all-day service. The Kitchener line also forms the core of the Toronto-Waterloo Innovation corridor, a fast-growing innovation technology hub with a potential to see a growth of 170,000 jobs if the technology super cluster is realized.

“We are making great headway in our long-standing goal to better connect the thriving businesses and residential communities between Kitchener-Waterloo and Toronto,” said Kinga Surma, Associate Minister of Transportation (GTA). “By building this major transit project, our government is increasing the reliability of transit, reducing congestion and commute times while also supporting the growth of communities.”

In addition to releasing the Preliminary Design Business Case, Metrolinx has issued an RFQ to move ahead with procurement for improved infrastructure between Georgetown and Kitchener. Interested parties are now invited to submit their proposals to Metrolinx.

“Two-way, all-day GO rail service on the Kitchener line will be an economic game-changer for Kitchener, the region and the Toronto-Waterloo Innovation Corridor. In the post-COVID economy, we will need these strategic, significant long-term transit investments to create jobs, reduce our carbon footprint, and to foster our continued economic growth. We thank the provincial government for today’s budget announcement of significant rail investments between Kitchener and Georgetown and look forward to more details as we continue moving this transformational project forward.”

– Berry Vrbanovic
Mayor of Kitchener

“Scaling employers along the Toronto-Waterloo Region corridor fuels their growth with top talent, as they compete on a global stage. Quick and frequent mobility is key, and this foundational investment is a huge step forward towards all-day, two-way GO train service. Companies worldwide that are looking to expand will certainly see Ontario’s talent pool as an attractive place to set up shop and create jobs.”

– Dave Jaworsky
Mayor of Waterloo

The RFQ package includes infrastructure improvements at Acton GO Station and Guelph Central Station that will help enable two-way train service, new maintenance of tracks, other track upgrades that will allow for higher train speeds.

“The world class post-secondary institutions that line the Innovation Corridor play a pivotal role in training Ontario’s future leaders. Fast, frequent transit along the Toronto-Guelph-Waterloo corridor will facilitate collaboration, partnerships and hands-on learning that is required for the success of our students,” said Dr. Charlotte Yates, President of the University of Guelph.

The province has also recently completed significant work on the Kitchener GO Rail line with the complete excavation of the twin tunnels under Highways 401 and 409 to increase train capacity on the corridor and continues to work closely with CN Rail to increase GO Train service for two-way, all-day service.

“We are getting people moving with fast and efficient transit. This is great for Mississauga and for all those who will travel on the Kitchener line.” said Deepak Anand
MPP for Mississauga–Malton.

As outlined in the 2021 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy, a key element of the government’s plan is investment in infrastructure, including strategic investments in transit, highways, schools, hospitals and broadband. Planned investments over the next 10 years total $145.4 billion, including $16.9 billion in 2021–22. These investments help stimulate job creation and economic growth and are vital to support COVID‑19 relief efforts.

Quick Facts

• By 2041, the service is forecasted to attract between 10.9 million to 11 million annual boardings and reduce annual vehicle kilometres travelled by 16.2 million kilometres.
• An estimated 2.3 million people and 1.4 million jobs will be located within 5 km of an existing GO station along the Kitchener line by 2031.
• Travel time is estimated to be approximately 90 minutes between Kitchener GO station and Union Station, down from 111 minutes.

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