Kitchener to get 2 more GO trains for commute to Toronto

Kitchener will get an added morning and evening GO Train trip in 2019.

A morning trip to Toronto will be added at 5:40 a.m. by extending an existing GO trip that begins at Georgetown.

An evening trip that leaves Union Station in Toronto at 3:35 p.m. and arrives in Kitchener at 5:43 p.m. will also be added. That route previously ended in Georgetown but will now extend to Kitchener.

Those trains will also stop in Acton and Guelph.

The expanded service was announced Monday by Ontario Transporation Minister Jeff Yurek, who called it a step toward all-day two-way GO service.

"I am hoping to have a great announcement within 12 to 18 months that will implement all-day, 2-way GO transit," said Yurek.

He said while the province is reviewing both GO bus and GO rail service, currently they are focusing on expanding rail service.

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"We are looking at bus services in what makes sense and what works but it's part of an ongoing review, because at the end of the day, it's about getting people moving," said Yurek. "We feel if we want to get the economy moving, we have to get people moving. The best way to get people moving is to ensure we have a regional transportation system."

The new stops will cost the province $1.1 million annually, according to Yurek. 

The new trips to be added to the GO schedule as of Jan. 7.