GO Transit

[smallspy]

BiLevels are designed for 100mph. MultiLevels can handle 125mph.

Dan

[UrbanToronto]

Out of all those dates i'm really skeptical of the 2021 date for the Milton line. There are quite a few issues that need to be resolved before more train service can even be added, let alone all-day service. Even the Richmond Hill line timeframe for all-day service seems a little too optimistic, that's unless the service is only for 2-3 stations.

What gets me is all the money spent on the Georgetown South/Union Pearson express project, all-day service on the Kitchener Line has the least priority of all corridors. Even Richmond Hill, the lowest-ridership corridor, is bumped ahead. I know GO Transit has a long history of underserving and neglecting Brampton, but that annoys me a bit.

[Shaun]

Richmondhill can be used as an alternate to the subway. You can get from Langstaff to Union in about 40 minutes. Better than VIVA and the Subway. And it's cheaper than building the Yonge Extension.

[Guest]

What gets me is all the money spent on the Georgetown South/Union Pearson express project, all-day service on the Kitchener Line has the least priority of all corridors. Even Richmond Hill, the lowest-ridership corridor, is bumped ahead. I know GO Transit has a long history of underserving and neglecting Brampton, but that annoys me a bit.

Well I wonder what they mean by 'implementation' ie. how far two-way, all-day would be achieved. The GTS Project would allow 2WAD to Bramalea.

[nfitz]

What gets me is all the money spent on the Georgetown South/Union Pearson express project, all-day service on the Kitchener Line has the least priority of all corridors.

Isn't that the answer though? With all the money spent on it, it's already good for all-day service to Bramalea. So the next phase to (Mount Pleasant? Georgetown? Kitchener?) is further down the list than the lines that won't have any all-day service yet.

[SandmanV3]

8118 was on a layover for route 48 (not sure) at U of Guelph this morning. Interesting to see these are used more in Guelph.

[DavidH]

Interesting that no one here has mentioned last night's Milton Line gO a Train collision with a transport truck in Mississauga.

http://pic.twitter.com/nHMYQVXXmV

Then again, @gotransit didn't mention it on twitter. I found out about it from the metrolinx media relations manager.

[Shaun]

BiLevels are designed for 100mph. MultiLevels can handle 125mph.

Dan

So in theory they could be outfitted with more comfortable seats and run in the corridor for VIA if they ever need more rolling stock? They wont have any problems with height in the corrider except Montreal Central Station?

[smallspy]

So in theory they could be outfitted with more comfortable seats and run in the corridor for VIA if they ever need more rolling stock? They wont have any problems with height in the corrider except Montreal Central Station?

Let's worry about VIA making it through the next 5 years before thinking about new rolling stock, okay?

Dan

[MCIBUS]

Does anyone have any interior shots of what one of the Go Trains looks like? Never been on a Go train and was always curious as to what it looks like?

[Oc4526]

Go Train Interior (Google search)

[D. DeLarge]

When in doubt, Wiki it: http://www.cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php?title=Bombardier_BiLevel

[UrbanToronto]

Isn't that the answer though? With all the money spent on it, it's already good for all-day service to Bramalea. So the next phase to (Mount Pleasant? Georgetown? Kitchener?) is further down the list than the lines that won't have any all-day service yet.

Well I wonder what they mean by 'implementation' ie. how far two-way, all-day would be achieved. The GTS Project would allow 2WAD to Bramalea.

Oh yeah. The forced transfers at Bramalea were always fun when GO ran those midday trains a few years ago. It doesn't cut it.

GO spent a lot of money triple tracking most of the Halton Subdivision, building a new platform at Brampton and a third track/platform at Mount Pleasant, with little to show for it so far. For the difficulties of getting more trains through downtown Brampton, it would still be minor compared to all the work needed on the Milton Line, especially around Streetsville.

[Shaun]

Let's worry about VIA making it through the next 5 years before thinking about new rolling stock, okay?

Dan

I gues that would depend on how long Stephen Harper is Prime Minister.

[Guest]

Oh yeah. The forced transfers at Bramalea were always fun when GO ran those midday trains a few years ago. It doesn't cut it.

GO spent a lot of money triple tracking most of the Halton Subdivision, building a new platform at Brampton and a third track/platform at Mount Pleasant, with little to show for it so far. For the difficulties of getting more trains through downtown Brampton, it would still be minor compared to all the work needed on the Milton Line, especially around Streetsville.

Downtown Brampton is the problem. A third track through there is going to be very complicated and costly. Both sides will have necessary grading work. Routing it on the north side of the corridor needs to take care to not impact the VIA station, which is a federally designated heritage structure. Routing it on the south side of the corridor would need to squeeze by the existing office building, climb overtop of the Brampton Transit loop, and then squeeze alongside Railroad Street.

On top of all this, Downtown Brampton will be the future terminus of the Hurontario-Main LRT and Züm Queen rapidway, so there will need to be space for that as well. Metrolinx will do one of their Mobility Hub studies, which will examine surrounding land uses and make recommendations. It's a huge financial, engineering and urban planning/design challenge.

[D. DeLarge]

Downtown Brampton is the problem. A third track through there is going to be very complicated and costly. Both sides will have necessary grading work. Routing it on the north side of the corridor needs to take care to not impact the VIA station, which is a federally designated heritage structure. Routing it on the south side of the corridor would need to squeeze by the existing office building, climb overtop of the Brampton Transit loop, and then squeeze alongside Railroad Street.

On top of all this, Downtown Brampton will be the future terminus of the Hurontario-Main LRT and Züm Queen rapidway, so there will need to be space for that as well. Metrolinx will do one of their Mobility Hub studies, which will examine surrounding land uses and make recommendations. It's a huge financial, engineering and urban planning/design challenge.

They likely won't be able to put in a 3rd track in that section downtown without a lot of extensive (and expensive) work, but as it stands almost everything else in the area is triple tracked. Right now they're basically running the same amount of GO trains, plus about 2-3 more (but minus 2 VIA's) that they were running with the downtown area being single tracked. They could probably squeeze more frequent service in if they wanted to, and with some creative scheduling add service in both ways at least as far as Mount Pleasant, if not G-town.

Triple tracking doesn't have to be the be-all, end-all of all day 2 way service, especially if it gets a half-assed implementation.

[Sid]

Two way service with the post-GTS track layout should be perfectly doable, with the compromise that only peak-direction trains would stop at Etobicoke North, so that the other direction can use the same track as the UPX. It looks like 30 minute service would be possible without any meets at Brampton or west of Mount Pleasant, which would keep one track free for CN at all times. The "GO" track from Malton south, with most GO service using the UPX tracks, could also support two-way express service to Kitchener.

[Guest]

GO train makeover will offer a plusher, greener commute

Toronto Star | January 23, 2014

GO is preparing to cushion its commuters with some added comfort by redesigning its coach and bus interiors starting later this year.

The most noticeable difference will be the colour. The traditional blue hues of GO interiors — there are varying versions across the system — will be phased out in favour of the new corporate colour, a mossy shade of green.

The regional transit company is also introducing new ergonomically designed seats with more foam to “better cradle a rider.”

[Token Dispenser]

Two way service with the post-GTS track layout should be perfectly doable, with the compromise that only peak-direction trains would stop at Etobicoke North, so that the other direction can use the same track as the UPX. It looks like 30 minute service would be possible without any meets at Brampton or west of Mount Pleasant, which would keep one track free for CN at all times. The "GO" track from Malton south, with most GO service using the UPX tracks, could also support two-way express service to Kitchener.

-image removed-

Would it be too much to ask to explain your image? i don't quite understand what you're trying to convey in that picture.

[nfitz]

Would it be too much to ask to explain your image? i don't quite understand what you're trying to convey in that picture.

It's a service planning diagram. Very standard, been around for decades, if not longer.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_planning_(train)

[Enzo Aquarius]

>a mossy shade of green

Was rather a fan of the blue and grey tones, they're really pushing this reimaging.

[general682002]

Was rather a fan of the blue and grey tones, they're really pushing this reimaging.

And there will be plenty of graffiti more than ever!

[vivablue5215]

http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1294739/more-go-trains-ordered-to-support-continued-expansion

More GO trains ordered to support continued expansion

TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2014 /CNW/ - In order to enable continued growth and increased ridership across the entire GO Transit network, Metrolinx has placed an order with Bombardier for 65 new GO Train (bi-level) coaches with two options for an additional 75 coaches. The total investment for the order, including options, is $481 million.

"Metrolinx continues to expand transit to provide more people with the opportunity to get to their destinations more efficiently and more comfortably," said Bruce McCuaig, Metrolinx President and CEO. "We're addressing congestion in the GTHA through our numerous projects and increasing travel options for residents in the GTHA."

"More and more people are using GO Transit and that trend has grown consistently over the last several years," saidGreg Percy, GO Transit President. "These new GO Train coaches will allow us to continue meeting our growth needs and support our plans for eventual two-way, all-day service on all of our rail lines."

The Bombardier bi-levels coaches have been used by GO Transit since 1978 and have demonstrated great reliability and comfort for GO Transit customers over their lifetime.

The base order of 65 coaches will be delivered between June 2016 and July 2017 and will be manufactured inThunder Bay, Ontario. Once delivered, GO Transit will have a total of 743 coaches in service allowing GO the capacity and flexibility to add or enhance service across our busiest routes.

Metrolinx is working to provide residents and businesses in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area with a transportation system that is modern, efficient and integrated. Find out more about The Big Move, Metrolinx's Regional Transportation Plan for the GTHA. Find out more about GO Transit, PRESTO, and Union Pearson Express, divisions of Metrolinx.

[Guest]

Has there been any recent pictures of the newest design for the cab car? I've seen the rendering from a year and a half ago, but nothing since.

[Wonka]

I would assume that in the very least, the paint scheme has been changed to reflect the new one... though they seem to be tinkering with it as they apply it to trains and buses, so who knows what they've decided on.