[anb]

Now we’re well into March, in-person classes are back, and more employers are recalling workers to the office, and GO is still functioning under January Omicron peak conditions.

I do know it takes some time to assign crews and schedules, but it’s quite ridiculous at the point that it’s radio silence at GO/Metrolinx.

I wonder now if it’s to allow for a happy goody provincial announcement with Ford, Mulroney, Surma, and a bunch of Mississauga and York Region MPPs.

One way of looking at when service could possibly change is going to a trip planner and look at schedules in the future. I couldn't go past the first weekend of April so it looks like we might be getting the changes then...

I still agree that its ridiculous. I took the 5:49pm Kitchener train today and for the first time since the pandemic began in my experience, it was flooded with most seats taken and people standing all across the train. The most it would get is just 1 person per quad before, now its a whole different level. This is probably one reason why we need to run express/local trains like we did back in September because there were more people who got off from Bramalea and beyond. Also, its not just the trains that need an increase in service, but certainly the buses as well (mainly the ones that uses 401 and 407).

 

[TDE]

Now we’re well into March, in-person classes are back, and more employers are recalling workers to the office, and GO is still functioning under January Omicron peak conditions.

I do know it takes some time to assign crews and schedules, but it’s quite ridiculous at the point that it’s radio silence at GO/Metrolinx.

I wonder now if it’s to allow for a happy goody provincial announcement with Ford, Mulroney, Surma, and a bunch of Mississauga and York Region MPPs.

I'll take a stab at it. Part of it also, I believe, is that the fiscal year is up, and so it'll be important to remain within the budget and constraints leading up to the deadline (March 31). Not a whole lot of works being awarded out I hear.

 

[ssiguy2]

I actually think GO not changing it's schedule is a prudent move,

Co-fares are starting in just a week and it takes time to see the impact it has on ridership not only on individual lines but also the times of the day. It would be shortsighted to change the schedules now only to have to change them again in a couple months.

 

[north-of-anything]

I’m surprised that municipalities that GO services do not use Presto (and that the provincial government hasn’t forced them to). For all its faults - and there are many - it’s truly convenient to have a single transit card across agencies.

I'm not surprised at all, at least for BWG. I remember at least one occasion pre-pandemic where I had to ride a Type A school bus because they didn't have enough working buses to run. I'm not aware of any significant improvements in service or funding since then.

 

[anb]

I actually think GO not changing it's schedule is a prudent move,

Co-fares are starting in just a week and it takes time to see the impact it has on ridership not only on individual lines but also the times of the day. It would be shortsighted to change the schedules now only to have to change them again in a couple months.

On the other side of the topic, why would they still run Omicron levels of service during March Break? Wouldn’t there be such a high demand for Exhibition, Niagara, Kitchener and Barrie travelers so more trains would be necessary? Kids are at school in class now so the time off would encourage more ridership with families and friends taking GO, especially with the fare discounts getting introduced.

 

[Richard White]

On the other side of the topic, why would they still run Omicron levels of service during March Break? Wouldn’t there be such a high demand for Exhibition, Niagara, Kitchener and Barrie travelers so more trains would be necessary? Kids are at school in class now so the time off would encourage more ridership with families and friends taking GO, especially with the fare discounts getting introduced.

First there is really no need for dedicated trains to Exhibition Place during the March Break.

Secondly, are they even running Niagara excursion trains right now?

 

[anb]

First there is really no need for dedicated trains to Exhibition Place during the March Break.

Secondly, are they even running Niagara excursion trains right now?

I wasn’t implying to run trains from other lines directly to Exhibition. The Lakeshore lines right now is currently at 30 min service and bringing back 15 min or better all day between Union-Oakville is all that’s needed. Niagara trains aren’t running at all besides the one rush hour trip per weekday per direction.

 

[smallspy]

I wasn’t implying to run trains from other lines directly to Exhibition. The Lakeshore lines right now is currently at 30 min service and bringing back 15 min or better all day between Union-Oakville is all that’s needed. Niagara trains aren’t running at all besides the one rush hour trip per weekday per direction.

The Lakeshore service is going to get some improvements in early April, but 15 minute service is not in the cards yet.

Dan

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

First there is really no need for dedicated trains to Exhibition Place during the March Break.

Secondly, are they even running Niagara excursion trains right now?

There are people actually living in condos just north of Exhibition Place in Liberty Village. There's Hotel X to the south. There are events happening at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, BMO field, Enercare Centre, Better Living Centre, etc..

 

[ShonTron]

The Lakeshore service is going to get some improvements in early April, but 15 minute service is not in the cards yet.

Dan

Early April?

It really sounds like Metrolinx is dragging its feet, waiting for the end of the fiscal year, or that the ministry is telling it to wait for a big pomp and circumstance media event.

 

[Richard White]

There are people actually living in condos just north of Exhibition Place in Liberty Village. There's Hotel X to the south. There are events happening at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, BMO field, Enercare Centre, Better Living Centre, etc..

I was referring to trains intentionally using the station as a terminus.

During larger events it makes sense to have trains stop at Exhibition from other lines but not in the off season. There is simply not enough demand given the proximity to Union Station and easy streetcar access.

 

[reaperexpress]

The Lakeshore service is going to get some improvements in early April, but 15 minute service is not in the cards yet.

Dan

If 15-minute service isn't in the cards, then what is? Service was every 15 minutes in September 2021, and it's currently every 30 minutes.

 

[dowlingm]

There is an assumption in posts above that Metrolinx need only say "more service" and it will appear. A lot of people are needed to make Metrolinx service go - in track and vehicle maintenance, in dispatching, on-train crew, in Union Station, etc. etc. We are still seeing >1000 cases/day in incomplete PCR testing. I would rather MLX put on the service they can reasonably deliver than attempt a full schedule when they are only a small staffing speedbump away from cancellations.

[EDIT: the province can solve some of the capacity issues at present by reversing the recent mandate on Ont Gov employees to start coming into the office more - but doubtless commercial landlords are lobbying furiously for Ont Gov to "lead by example" and fill downtown Toronto towers again]

 

[Bordercollie]

I wasn’t implying to run trains from other lines directly to Exhibition. The Lakeshore lines right now is currently at 30 min service and bringing back 15 min or better all day between Union-Oakville is all that’s needed. Niagara trains aren’t running at all besides the one rush hour trip per weekday per direction.

You know exhibition station has been under construction for over two years now and they haven't made much progress on making it an island platform. When is it actually supposed to be completed? They haven't even installed the North track yet.

 

[innsertnamehere]

You know exhibition station has been under construction for over two years now and they haven't made much progress on making it an island platform. When is it actually supposed to be completed? They haven't even installed the North track yet.

Exhibition hasn't had active construction since, IIRC, 2017. The contract was cancelled then prior to completion due to Metrolinx realizing the station would need a complete rethink for GO Expansion.

Demolition is underway next door right now for the OL.. which is a start of many years of construction there, likely running to 2030 at the earliest.