Kitchener commuters 'frustrated' following GO train route cancellations
Transit agency says commuters should expect delays over the next two weeks
Some Kitchener commuters say GO train route cancellations have left them frustrated and scrambling to make alternative transportation arrangements.
Several routes were cancelled on Tuesday, for the second day this week, because of staffing shortages due to illness, the transit agency Metrolix has said.
As of Monday, up to 15 staff members were off work because of COVID-19 infection or potential exposure, a spokesperson told CBC News.
"It's … making me get frustrated," said Juliana Blum, who arrived at the Kitchener GO Station on Victoria Street Tuesday morning only to learn her 7:15 a.m. train to Union Station was cancelled.
"It's affecting my job. I'm waiting here," she added, noting she hadn't planned for another way to get to her work office in Toronto.
Nathan Rowe also didn't learn of the cancellation until he arrived at the station.
"It's a little bit annoying. It'd be nice if we got a little bit more communication about it before people are out here waiting for them."
On its website, GO Transit has warned of cancellations and asks the public to check its service updates page before travelling.
People can also check the departure boards at the station or follow the Go bus and train line twitter accounts.
Meanwhile, Metrolix has said it plans to give as much advance notice as possible.
The transit agency warned commuters to expect cancellations on GO and UP Express trains over the next two weeks as it works to resolve issues and hire more staff.
With files from Carmen Groleau