Wellington County supports enhanced GO Transit commuter rail service in the county.
On Jan. 27 county councillors authorized Warden Chris White to sign the letter contained in the report of the county engineer regarding the planned extension of GO Transit Commuter Rail Service through the county to Kitchener.
Council also voted in favour of the warden inviting the Mayor of the City of Guelph and the Chair of the Region of Waterloo to sign the letter along with White.
Roads committee chair Joanne Ross-Zuj said the warden was to invite the City of Guelph and the Region of Waterloo to sign the letter along with him.
“We’ll be proceeding with that,” Warden White agreed.
County Engineer Gordon Ough and County Director of Planning and Development Gary Cousins have been representing the county at a series of meetings over the past two years.
Those meetings were part of the process that led to a recent announcement that GO Transit Rail Service will be extended through the County of Wellington and into the Region of Waterloo with stops at Guelph and Kitchener.
However local proponents of the move were disappointed in that the level of service planned for implementation in 2011, includes only two peak-period trains rather than the four trains proposed in the provincial Environmental Assessment Report.
There is a concern that the two-train service will not attract sufficient ridership to produce the numbers needed for a successful launch and to demonstrate the need and desire for this service. A poor showing early may well delay the provision of a more frequent service.
Some have suggested augmenting the GO service by having GO Transit enter an agreement with VIA to allow GO commuters to access the existing VIA service.
White’s letter states that residents and employers in Waterloo, Wellington and Guelph are very pleased GO Train commuter rail service will be implemented in 2011.
“In preparation for this service, arrangements are being made for the local transit systems to feed commuters to the new GO inter-modal stations and transit supportive land use strategies will be adopted at these locations as well,” the letter states.
“Recently, federal-provincial stimulus funding has been wisely invested in upgrading the rail corridor, setting the stage for this sustainable interregional transit alternative.
“Of concern however, is the announcement that the initial GO service will consist of only two peak-period trains rather than the four trains proposed in the provincial Environmental Assessment report.
“While we understand the reasoning behind the decision, this service level may be insufficient to fully develop the market potential for commuter transit.
“Typically, GO Rail has been introduced to new areas with a minimum of three peak-period trains, augmented by a late evening return service. The successful introduction and subsequent expansion of commuter rail service requires that implementation start with a solid foundation. This will encourage individuals to choose residential and employment locations based on the availability of a convenient and effective alternative to the private car.
“Fortunately a solution appears available to ensure the successful launch of GO Rail services in 2011. The rail corridor currently has VIA train services, including a peak period, mid-morning and evening return train which can complement the proposed two GO trains. As an interim step, GO could enter into an agreement with VIA that would allow GO commuters to also access these services.
“It is in everyone’s interest to ensure that our transportation corridors and services are fully utilized to move as many people as possible on public transit. We hope that the opportunity to integrate GO commuters on to available VIA services will be an effective strategy to achieve this goal.”
Following council, White noted the information came up at a recent roads committee meeting.
“The bottom line is that the provision of four trains would create a stronger ‘buy in’ for people using the service,” White said.
He explained the additional trains would create the flexibility needed to create the overall ridership to make it sustainable and to give it a proper chance to succeed.
“Our thought was to reach out to Guelph and Waterloo region for support on the request.”
He believed the limited number of trains is too restrictive. White also wondered if an arrangement could be made with VIA Rail on the provision of train service.
“At the end of the day, it does not matter who provides the trains, as long as they are able to provide the service at a reasonable rate.”
