End of London-Kitchener GO Train service bad news for Stratford, say local leaders

It’s nearly the end of the line for GO Train service between London and Kitchener.

Transit operator Metrolinx says the two-year pilot project, which connects London, St. Marys and Stratford for Toronto, will end on Oct. 13.

GO trains have been running on the route since the fall of 2021.

“It’s been really helpful and really convenient,” Stefan told CTV Kitchener while lining up to board a train to Toronto at the Stratford station on Friday.

Fellow commuter Theresa moved to Stratford in June, but still works in downtown Toronto.

“I have to be in the office three times a week, and right now, this is how I am getting there because I don’t have a car,” Theresa said.

Commuters in Stratford wait to board the 6:45 a.m. GO Train to Toronto on July 7, 2023. (Jeff Pickel)

Stratford city councillor Jo-Dee Burbach says Theresa’s situation is not uncommon.

“I actually talked to a couple of people this past week that have moved here from Toronto because they knew that this GO Train service existed, and we're very disheartened to hear that it might be cancelled,” Burbach said.

She says losing GO service puts Stratford at risk of falling behind.

“Especially for young people, if we want young people to live and work here, that it's really important that we do have those transit connections,” Burbach said.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

It’s not just residents, commuters and travellers who are disappointed.

According to the city, the presence of a weekday commuter train to Kitchener and the GTA is a major selling point for attracting new business to the area.

Joani Gerber, CEO of Invest Stratford, says the city’s GO connection is part of their sales pitch to bring in new business.

“We use the GO service as a promotional component, quite frequently actually. It really does highlight the connectivity of Stratford to the not only the GTA, but to all parts of Ontario, Canada and abroad,” Gerber said.

FUTURE UNCLEAR

The two-year GO Train pilot project was using CN and VIA Rail tracks and stations.

Metrolinx says it will no longer have access to those tracks, as VIA has indicated it will soon be ramping up service, some of which was paused during the pandemic.

It’s unclear at this point what that will look like or when it will begin, but Gerber and Burbach are concerned it won’t fill the void left by GO.

“I think that the big difference between VIA and GO is the price point,” Burbach said. “Having GO Transit is much more accessible for people.”

“The times have to be important,” Gerber said. “I mean, I'd love my workday to start at one o'clock in the afternoon, but that's not the reality. It's not the reality for most.”

As for Theresa, it will soon be back to the highway.

“I’ll have to buy a car, that’s for sure,” she said.