London-Toronto GO Train service ends, leaving Stratford with fewer options
A two-year pilot project that saw GO train service from London to Toronto ends today, leaving communities like Stratford with limited public transit options.
The project first rolled into Stratford in 2021. It also served communities like St. Marys.
Stratford’s mayor said it was good while it lasted.
“We know especially since COVID, that hybrid work is a thing and people may need to go into Toronto a couple of days a week for work,” said Mayor Martin Ritsma.
He said the GO train helped many communities and believes improving rail service is the end goal but in the meantime they need to look at other options.
"The student piece, the college university students that are part of our community, I looked at tourism, not only Stratford Festival but as we move into the shoulder season with all that's offered with Destination Stratford," said Ritsma.
PC CONNECT
The transportation director in Stratford, Mike Mosley, believes another pilot project, PC Connect, could help fill the GO train gap.
PC Connect is a service that provides transportation throughout Perth County. Users can hop on a PC Connect bus, to get where they are going.
“Basically, the service connects the City of Stratford with other towns like St. Marys or Listowel and also London, Ontario, and Kitchener-Waterloo,” said Mosley.
The current schedule can get people to and from K-W but not in time to catch the morning GO train.
“What we're looking at is to advocate for more of a frequent service so that we can make better connections with a service that's already established,” said Mosely.
Mosely said, with more funding, it would be seamless to add additional frequency to the existing service, meaning those who were hopping on a GO train, can step on a PC Connect bus instead.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING 'All hands on deck situation': City of Calgary declares state of local emergency over water main break
The City of Calgary declared a local state of emergency Saturday morning in response to the latest developments in a major water main break that is impacting the city.
A new tax filing system could give Canadians more than $1 billion in unclaimed benefits: PBO
Canadians would get more than $1 billion in unclaimed benefits each year through an automatic tax filing system, according to a report published by the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO).
U.K. royals unite on palace balcony as Princess of Wales returns to public view after cancer diagnosis
London put on a display of birthday pageantry Saturday for King Charles III, a military parade that marked the Princess of Wales ' first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis early this year.
Trudeau calls into question findings of stunning watchdog foreign interference report
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has concerns with how conclusions were gathered in a spy watchdog report.
Man who stabbed Mexican tourist in Vancouver Tim Hortons 2 years ago released from prison, police warn
Vancouver police are warning the public that the man who stabbed a stranger in a downtown coffee shop in January 2022 has been released and will be living in the city again.
Think cicadas are weird? Check out superfans, who eat the bugs, use them in art and even striptease
Mayumi Barrack sees a pair of mating periodical cicadas getting together, whips out her phone, says, 'Hi guys!' and takes their picture.
93-year-old pleads guilty to careless driving after crash involving CTV Kitchener reporter
A 93-year-old woman has pleaded guilty to careless driving causing bodily harm in the crash that sent CTV News Kitchener reporter Stephanie Villella to hospital with life-threatening injuries last year.
Winning Lotto Max ticket for $55 million jackpot sold in GTA
A lucky lotto player in the Greater Toronto Area is waking up with millions more reasons to smile this morning.
U.S. regulators investigating unusual 'Dutch roll' of a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max
Federal officials are investigating an unusual rolling motion during the flight of a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max.