Canada helps fund GO Transit, SkyTrain station upgrades


Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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A rendering of what the new GO Bloor Station will look like
Go Transit

Canada is helping to pay for improvements at two passenger stations in Ontario and British Columbia.

 

Improvements at the Bloor GO Station in the Toronto, ON, area will make it easier for commuters to take GO Transit and Union Pearson Express trains.

Metrolinx is opening a new “kiss and ride” drop-off area and pedestrian walkway that connects passengers coming from Dundas Street to the Bloor GO station’s west tunnel and platforms. The west tunnel provides GO and UP Express customers with elevator access to both platforms and now features a new ticket booth for greater customer convenience.

The Canadian government and the province of Ontario are jointly funding improvements to the Bloor GO station. The federal funding comes from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund as part of the GO Transit Rail Infrastructure Improvements Program, Georgetown South Project. The Georgetown South Project provides infrastructure improvements along the Kitchener Corridor to accommodate both improved GO train service to Kitchener, as well as the new UP Express to Pearson Airport.

UP Express connects Canada’s two busiest transportation hubs (Union Station and Toronto Pearson International Airport) with the trip taking just 25 minutes and trains departing every 15 minutes.

“Our investments in transit are providing more options for commuters, reducing congestion on our roads and contributing to a better quality of life for Ontario families,” said Amarjeet Sohi
, Canada’s minister of infrastructure and communities. “These improvements will provide GO customers with better access to transit and will make the commuting experience more efficient and convenient across the region.”

Additionally, construction began for upgrades to the TransLink Joyce-Collingwood SkyTrain Station to improve accessibility, capacity, safety and security.

The CA$26-million (US$18.3 million) Joyce-Collingwood Station upgrade is being funded by the Canadian government through the Building Canada Fund, the British Columbia government and TransLink. Construction began earlier this month and the upgrades are expected to be complete by fall 2017.

The upgrades include a new elevator and escalators in the east stationhouse, improved station design with better lighting and visibility and better integration with the surrounding community. The improvements will update the station to meet modern accessibility standards, improve the transfer experience for passengers arriving by bus, and increase the capacity of the Expo Line.

“We are pleased to invest in these important upgrades to the Joyce-Collingwood SkyTrain Station,” said Sohi
. “Safe and reliable public transit builds stronger communities by connecting people to their places of work, school and home. Working with our partners, we are helping to increase public transit use which will reduce gridlock and improve air quality across the region.”

Joyce-Collingwood Station serves 30,000 SkyTrain trips and 12,000 bus trips per day, making it the fourth busiest Expo Line Station outside of downtown Vancouver. This station serves a high-density community and is an important bus transfer location. As the number of passengers using the station grows, upgrades are needed to increase passenger capacity and improve accessibility.

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