Doug Ford announces GO transit upgrade

Ally Sheedy: Senior Reporter

Premier Doug Ford announced the largest GO train service expansion in more than a decade at a press conference in Milton, Ont, on April 15.

Ford and Ontario Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria said Ontario is enhancing transit service by adding more than 300 trips per week linking Kitchener, Milton, Lakeshore West, Lakeshore East and Stouffville lines to Union Station.

This announcement comes after the implementation of the One Fare Program in February, which allows transit riders to only pay once when connecting between the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), GO Transit, and regional transit.

“Today’s announcement, along with our recent introduction of free transfers between different transit systems through One Fare, will help get people across the region where they need to go faster while saving the average transit rider $1,600 every year,” Ford said.

Weekend train frequencies will double from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes during the afternoon and evening hours on the Lakeshore West and Lakeshore East lines starting April 28, he said.

Kitchener commuters can also expect to see a new 30-minute weekday service for the first time, Ford said.

These initiatives support the 2041 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), which facilitates the integration of transit services and fares while reducing barriers and promoting cost savings.

Sarkaria believes the addition will help Ontarians.

“As Ontario’s population continues to grow, our government is investing in a world-class transit network that connects communities and people to good jobs and affordable housing,” Sarkaria said.

Milton’s Mayor Gordon Krantz said the expansion of GO rail service provides more access to jobs and stimulate economic growth.

“Additional GO rail service trips in Milton further connect people to jobs, students to learning, stimulate our economy, fosters housing builds in our transit corridors and improves connections to other transit services,” Krantz said.

“We thank the Government of Ontario for this investment,” he said.

With by-elections around the corner, Ford said this announcement was not about getting votes but helping Ontarians.

“No, we’re out here making announcements every single day in every region of this province and this is a great announcement for the folks in Milton and everyone that rides the GO train,” he said.

The electoral districts of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex and Milton have an upcoming provincial by-election that is set for May 2, 2024.

A recently published poll conducted by Liason Strategies regarding the by-election in the Milton riding reported the Provincial Conservatives and Ontario Liberals are neck and neck.

Ford thanked Ontarians for their efforts in building a better province.

“We are building hospitals, we are building schools, building transit, we are expanding highways, and building long-term care,” Ford said.

“It is only thanks to each and every one of you, it’s about every person in Ontario that is pitching in.”

OCAD University is the latest post-secondary institution to cut funding for its student-led events in the wake of funding reduction from the provincial government.

This is just one recent example of colleges and universities cutting extracurricular activities.

Artist Alley is the only student-led event meant to give OCAD students a space to sell their art to the community. This year was the first that the school considered charging Artist Alley organizers and students rent for the use of the OCAD campus for the daylong event.

The cost for these services for the latest Artist Alley event, held on April 6, was $535, according to a statement from Artist Alley organizers.

While OCAD eventually agreed to fund this event, future funding remains unclear.

“It’s a shame because this could be a really amazing extracurricular activity, an opportunity for students to learn skills that aren’t necessarily taught in class,” said an Artist Alley organizer who wished to remain anonymous because of fear of reprisal from the school.

OCAD students deserve to host events on their campus without financial concern, especially when there are already so few that provide a space to learn outside of the class-