GO Transit gets powerful new locomotives
Jan 15, 2008 05:39 PM
THE CANADIAN PRESS
Even Premier Dalton McGuinty couldn't make the GO trains run on time for a big announcement about increasing ridership.
McGuinty was 17 minutes late pulling into Toronto's Union Station today in the first of 27 powerful new locomotives the government is purchasing for GO Transit.
"I had the opportunity a few moments ago to fulfil a boyhood dream – always wanted to be a train engineer," McGuinty said after disembarking.
The province has spent $143 million on the fuel-efficient MP40 locomotives, which are able to pull longer trains carrying about 300 additional passengers.
Sixteen of the new locomotives will replace existing engines, while 11 will be added to expand the GO fleet.
"The MP40 they tell me is quieter, faster, stronger, more reliable and more efficient," McGuinty said.
"That means it's great news for parents who are trying to get home to their kids, and for the economy because it will allow us to move people around even more quickly."
McGuinty said the announcement would benefit commuters in Toronto and as far out as Hamilton, which has been calling for hourly service for decades. But the premier could not say when hourly service would be extended to Hamilton, and he instead touted his government's long-term transit plan.
"We've got a very dramatic investment in GO trains and in public transit generally through our MoveOntario 2020 investment," McGuinty said.
"In the grand scheme of things, our plan would be considered very, very aggressive."
McGuinty said the province wants the federal government to kick in one-third of the cost of public transit projects like new GO trains, noting the province is paying two-thirds of the cost by picking up the tab for municipalities.
"I had a good discussion a few days ago with Prime Minister Harper on this score," he said. "His position was that he's already making investments in infrastructure in Ontario, and he's still prepared to consider his support for MoveOntario 2020.
"I remain optimistic about the feds coming to the table with their one-third, but we're prepared to move with our two-thirds as soon as possible."
Transportation Minister Jim Bradley said the new locomotives will help GO Transit increase ridership from its current level of about 200,000 passengers each weekday.
"Up to 30,000 more passengers every day, once all 27 new locomotives are in service," Bradley said. "This is a sound investment that will pay Ontarians back for generations to come by reducing congestion on our roads and improving the air that we breathe."
The first of the new locomotives will be in service in about two months, with all 27 expected to be hauling commuters in two years.