I wonder if "include us in the 'revenue tools umbrella' and we'll call it even" is an option...
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So I got thinking about a GO extension to Uxbridge and how it could be "bundled" with an increase in service on Stouffville to 9 rush hour trains instead of the current 6. To do this you would build a 3 train yard in Uxbridge, and only those 3 trains would make the trip up. They would replace 1/2 of the current runs, with the Lincolnville spots reserved for the more "off peak" runs. Maybe run the 3 12 car trains to Uxbridge, with the 10 car trains staying at Lincolnville. YDHR operations would obviously be displaced by this, and they could have a couple of storage tracks built in Goodwood. (they already have a siding there that they use in their operations) One Yard space would have to be a bit longer to allow for YDHR trains to reach the uxbridge train station on weekends, but you could still fairly easily fit 3 GO trains in the yard area YDHR currently uses. (with some renovations of course)
Service update; Barrie service going to 20 min in January with one additional train.
Nothing against the residents, but how many people from Uxbridge actually commute on GO? Extending to a town of 20,000 people (and that won't likely top 30,000 by 2030) just doesn't seem like a priority.
I don't think the demand is really strong, but I feel it would be more successful than Kitchener. (at least initially) half of the proposal is the increase in service on Stouffville as well, as it is difficult to expand Lincolnville, which restricts rush hour trip growth in the future. it would allow growth to 9 trips, which might be difficult to accommodate otherwise.
I'd rather see the Bolton service first, even two trains to start - it will serve the 25,000 in Bolton as well as 30,000 to 50,000 in Woodbridge and the far eastern section of Brampton. It will likely require some track work to accomodate GO on CP's track ...
Unrelated to previous conversation but just a reminder to everyone it affects the Lakeshore West line is closed on Saturday and Sunday!
Oh yeah. I forgot about GO's really dumb lack of alternatives during a major weekend shut down. GO's contingency plan for Burlington and Oakville - drive!
Bolton is another much needed expansion, and I normally thought of an Uxbridge expansion as fairly unimportant. My little "idea" came more from trying to think of a way of improving capacity on Stouffville than from an extension to Uxbridge. The fact that Bowmanville is such a high priority (Metrolinx is already buying land for it) along with the ridership figures for Kitchener,
It was better then what happened in NYC yesterday with Penn station.