GO Expansion

GO Transit has historically offered two-way, all-day service along its Lakeshore East and Lakeshore West lines, while only providing peak rush hour service on its other lines. The Big Move outlined the building of express and regional rail service improvements across the existing GO Transit network. Other improvements included extensions to Hamilton and Bowmanville, as well as new GO Transit corridors to Bolton, Seaton and Locust Hill.

As part of the 2011 Ontario general election, Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty also made a campaign pledge to provide two-way, all-day train service on all corridors.{{cite web |last=Ontario Liberal Party |date=2011 |title=The Ontario Liberal Plan 2011-2015 |url=http://www.ontarioliberal.ca/OurPlan/pdf/platform_english.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512045229/http://www.ontarioliberal.ca/OurPlan/pdf/platform_english.pdf |archive-date=May 12, 2012 |oclc=760993664}} This vision of two-way, full-day train service on all corridors eventually included electrification of the system and was renamed Regional Express Rail.{{cite web |last=Metrolinx |date=2016 |title=Metrolinx Regional Express Rail |url=http://www.metrolinx.com/en/regionalplanning/rer/ |publisher=Metrolinx}}

As part of the Phase 2 announcement, Metrolinx stated that the Kitchener and Lakeshore lines would be electrified, as well as the Union Pearson Express.{{cite web |last=GO Transit |date=2012 |title=Electrification Study Highlights |url=http://www.gotransit.com/electrification/en/current_study/docs/ElectrificationStudyHighlights.pdf |access-date=November 30, 2012 |publisher=GO Transit }}

With GO Expansion, Metrolinx expects to nearly triple ridership to 175 million riders per year by about 2031 from 65.7 million in 2015.

On March 31, 2017, the federal government announced it would contribute $1.9 billion of the estimated $13.5 billion cost of GO Expansion. The Kitchener line will receive at least $750 million of the federal funding for infrastructure upgrades including {{convert|40|km}} of new track. The Barrie line, Lakeshore East line, and Lakeshore West line will share the balance of the federal funding for upgrades and {{convert|88|km}} of new track.{{cite news |last=Spurr |first=Ben |date=March 31, 2017 |title=Ottawa to invest $1.9B in GO Transit's regional express rail project |newspaper=Toronto Star |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/03/31/trudeau-liberals-earmark-18b-in-old-infrastructure-cash-for-go-transit-project.html |access-date=March 31, 2017}}

On February 23, 2022, Metrolinx announced that the preferred bidder for the contract was ONxpress Transportation Partners,{{cite web |title=GO Expansion program takes next step in procurement journey |url=https://blog.metrolinx.com/2022/02/23/go-expansion-program-takes-next-step-in-procurement-journey/ |access-date=February 24, 2022 |publisher=Metrolinx}} a consortium that includes Aecon, FCC Construcción, Alstom, and Deutsche Bahn, among others.{{cite web |title=GO Expansion set to electrify the region – With rapid all-day service and new electric trains |url=https://blog.metrolinx.com/2021/12/21/go-expansion-set-to-electrify-the-region-with-rapid-all-day-service-and-new-electric-trains/ |access-date=February 24, 2022 |publisher=Metrolinx}} Under its $1.6-billion contract, ONxpress will complete Phase 1 of the GO Expansion project, which includes designing key infrastructure such as signalling systems and upgrades to Hydro One power infrastructure. Phase 1 also includes determining the full scope of the project. The consortium will also start construction for grade separations at rail and road crossings.{{cite web |date=April 19, 2022 |title=Ontario government awards $1.6B contract for first phase of GO Transit train electrification |url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2022/04/19/go-transit-train-electrification-ontario/ |newspaper=CityNews|first1=Nick|last1=Westoll}}

The contract was finalized on April 19, 2022; Alstom announced it will be implementing the European Rail Traffic Management System for the signalling on the upgraded network, the first use of that standard in North America.{{cite press release |title=Alstom and consortium partners selected for GO Expansion to transform collective mobility in Toronto, Canada |url=https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2022/4/alstom-and-consortium-partners-selected-go-expansion-transform |website=Alstom |access-date=April 19, 2022}} According to Metrolinx, ETCS would allow more trains to be on the line simultaneously, citing the words of University of Birmingham visiting lecturer Tyson Moore, who stated that systems with ETCS were "allowing trains to get closer together while still respecting basic safety margins".{{Cite web |title=Metrolinx - Advanced signalling will allow more frequent GO Train service |url=https://www.metrolinx.com/en/news/advanced-signalling-will-allow-more-frequent-go-train-service |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=www.metrolinx.com}} The signalling system on the GO network will implement ETCS level 2.

In January 2024, Metrolinx announced that, starting January 1, 2025, ONxpress would take over the operation and maintenance of the GO Transit train system in addition to the responsibility of introducing the improvements required for GO Expansion. ONxpress has a division named ONxpress Operations Inc., which consists of Deutsche Bahn International Operations and Aecon Concessions.{{cite web |url=https://www.metrolinx.com/en/news/metrolinx-partners-with-onxpress-to-transform-go-transit-service-in-the-region- |title=Metrolinx partners with ONxpress to transform GO Transit service in the region |publisher=Metrolinx |date=2024-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126020817/https://www.metrolinx.com/en/news/metrolinx-partners-with-onxpress-to-transform-go-transit-service-in-the-region- | archive-date=2024-01-26 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} However, on May 17, 2025, Metrolinx announced the termination of the agreement with ONxpress Operations Inc.{{Cite web |last=Aguilar |first=Bryann |date=2025-05-17 |title=Metrolinx ending GO Transit operating contract with consortium |url=https://www.cp24.com/politics/queens-park/2025/05/17/metrolinx-ending-go-transit-operating-contract-with-consortium/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=CP24 |language=en}}

{{External media|title=Metrolinx exhibits|image1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20220724213405/https://i0.wp.com/blog.metrolinx.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/GO-Electrification-20220414.jpg Map of GO Rail Electrification]}}

GO Expansion goals would be achieved with the electrification of core sections of the GO Transit train system while also expanding the use of diesel service in others, as follows:{{cite web |url=http://www.metrolinx.com/en/regionalplanning/projectevaluation/benefitscases/GO_RER_Initial_Business_Case_Summary_EN.pdf |title=GO RER Initial Business Case Summary |author=Metrolinx |date=2015 |access-date=April 3, 2016 }}

• The Lakeshore West line between Aldershot and Union Station
• The Lakeshore East line between Oshawa and Union Station
• The Kitchener line between Bramalea and Union Station, including the Union Pearson Express service
• The Barrie line between Allandale Waterfront (Barrie) and Union Station
• The Stouffville line between Old Elm and Union Station

With electrification, service on the Lakeshore West line could possibly be as frequent as every three-and-a-half minutes during peak periods.

Because electric trains can accelerate and decelerate faster at stations, trip times could be reduced on average by 10 minutes with a maximum reduction of up to 20 to 30 minutes.{{cite web |url=https://blog.metrolinx.com/2022/04/21/new-go-expansion-agreement-with-onxpress-transportation-partners-ushers-in-exciting-future-of-faster-greener-more-frequent-go-train-service/ |title=New GO Expansion agreement with ONxpress Transportation Partners ushers in exciting future of faster, greener, more frequent GO Train |publisher=Metrolinx |date=April 21, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421190141/https://blog.metrolinx.com/2022/04/21/new-go-expansion-agreement-with-onxpress-transportation-partners-ushers-in-exciting-future-of-faster-greener-more-frequent-go-train-service/ | archivedate=April 21, 2022 |url-status=live }}

The electrified network will ultimately extend to {{Convert|262|km|mi|adj=pre|route-}}, with six traction substations and 11 traction distribution facilities (switching or parallelling stations).{{cite journal |url=http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/commuter-regional/metrolinx-sets-toronto-rer-options.html |title=Metrolinx sets Toronto RER options |last=Barrow |first=Keith |journal=Railway Age |date=February 11, 2016 |publisher=Simmons-Boardman Publishing Inc.|access-date=April 2, 2016 }} {{as of|2022|post=,}} construction for the electrification of lines is to begin in 2023, with partial implementation in 2025 and 2026 and full completion in 2032. The project entails the electrification of over {{convert|600|km}} of track, including {{convert|200|km}} of new track.

In 2022, Metrolinx estimated that with GO Expansion, GO Transit would have the ability to run up to three times more trains than the 3,500 trains per week it ran in 2019. The busiest routes could operate between 8 and 18 trains per hour. Trains at GO stations such as Exhibition, Bloor and East Harbour could have a frequency of every 3 minutes and a 5-minute frequency at stations such as Burlington and Pickering. Evening and weekend service could be as frequent as every 6 to 15 minutes. The following more modest frequencies were projected in 2015.

File:GO Transit RER map.pngGO Expansion will see many sections of GO train lines receiving two-way all-day service. Sections proposed to get two-way all-day 15-minute or better are:

• Lakeshore West line between Burlington and Union Station
• Lakeshore East line between Oshawa and Union Station
• Kitchener line between Bramalea and Union Station{{cite web |url=https://blog.metrolinx.com/2022/05/03/first-phase-of-work-to-expand-kitchener-go-line-service-kicks-off/ |title=First phase of work to expand Kitchener GO Line service kicks off |publisher=Metrolinx |date=May 3, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503165051/https://blog.metrolinx.com/2022/05/03/first-phase-of-work-to-expand-kitchener-go-line-service-kicks-off/ | archivedate=May 3, 2022 |url-status=live }}
• Barrie line between Bradford and Union Station
• Stouffville line between Unionville and Union Station

Sections proposed to get two-way all-day 30-minute service are:

• Kitchener line between Mount Pleasant and Union Station (every 15 minutes in peak period)

Sections proposed to get two-way all-day 60-minute service are:

• Lakeshore West line between West Harbour and Union Station (already in effect since August 7, 2021){{Cite web|title=Ontario Introduces Hourly GO Train Service Between West Harbour GO Station and Union Station|url=https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1000590/ontario-introduces-hourly-go-train-service-between-west-harbour-go-station-and-union-station|access-date=July 26, 2021|website=news.ontario.ca}}
• Lakeshore West line between Hamilton GO Centre and Union Station
• Kitchener line between Kitchener and Union Station (every 30 minutes in peak period)
• Barrie line between Allandale Waterfront (Barrie) and Union Station
• Stouffville line between Mount Joy (Markham) and Union Station

GO Expansion will also see more frequent weekday, peak-direction service on the following routes:

• Every 15 minutes on the Lakeshore West line between Hamilton GO Centre and Union Station
• Every 15 minutes on the Milton line
• Every 30 minutes on the Barrie line between Allandale Waterfront (Barrie) and Union Station
• Every 15 minutes on the Richmond Hill line
• Every 20 minutes on the Stouffville line between Old Elm and Union Station

Stations between Oakville and Hamilton on the Lakeshore West line, between Bramalea and Kitchener on the Kitchener line, and between Pickering and Oshawa on the Lakeshore East line are proposed to receive express service to and from Union Station.

As part of GO Expansion, Metrolinx will deploy ERTMS level 1 in order to provide more frequent service, marking the first implementation of ERTMS in North America.{{cite magazine|magazine= International Railway Journal|url=https://www.railjournal.com/infrastructure/consortium-wins-go-transit-expansion-project-contract/|access-date=2022-08-07|title=Consortium wins GO Transit expansion project contract|date=2022-04-20|author=David Briginshaw}}

Metrolinx plans to build several new stations as part of GO Expansion, including {{stl|GO Transit|Breslau}}, {{stl|GO Transit|Innisfil}}, {{stl|GO Transit|Kirby}}, {{stl|GO Transit|Mulock}}, and {{stl|GO Transit|Spadina–Front}}.{{cite web |last1=Metrolinx (2018) |title=GO Expansion Moves Ahead |url=http://www.metrolinx.com/images/greaterregion/projects/go-expansion/MX%20RER%20Factsheet%20V8.pdf |publisher=Metrolinx. |access-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414034552/http://www.metrolinx.com/images/greaterregion/projects/go-expansion/MX%20RER%20Factsheet%20V8.pdf |url-status=dead }}

{{main|SmartTrack}}

SmartTrack started out as a proposed Regional Express Rail surface service to run mostly within the City of Toronto. It was proposed by John Tory during his successful mayoral campaign in 2014. The SmartTrack proposal depends on electrification of the Stouffville and Kitchener corridors where SmartTrack service would run.

As a part of the agreement reached between Metrolinx and the City of Toronto, five stations will be built within the City of Toronto and are expected to open by 2026; these are {{stl|GO Transit|St. Clair–Old Weston}}, {{stl|GO Transit|Bloor–Lansdowne}}, {{stl|GO Transit|King–Liberty}} (Liberty Village), {{stl|GO Transit|East Harbour}}, and {{stl|GO Transit|Finch–Kennedy}}.{{cite web |date=August 17, 2021 |title=New agreement with City of Toronto helps bring new SmartTrack stations closer to reality |url=https://blog.metrolinx.com/2021/08/17/new-agreement-with-city-of-toronto-helps-bring-new-smarttrack-stations-closer-to-reality/ |publisher=Metrolinx |access-date=August 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818184420/https://blog.metrolinx.com/2021/08/17/new-agreement-with-city-of-toronto-helps-bring-new-smarttrack-stations-closer-to-reality/ |archive-date=August 18, 2021}}

• Caltrain Modernization Program
• Réseau Express Régional
• Moscow Central Diameters
• Toronto subway
• South Wales Metro
• S-train

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.metrolinx.com/en/projects-and-programs/go-expansion Metrolinx GO Expansion project site]
• GO Expansion Initial Business Case:
• [http://www.metrolinx.com/en/regionalplanning/projectevaluation/benefitscases/GO_RER_Initial_Business_Case_Summary_EN.pdf Summary]
• [http://www.metrolinx.com/en/regionalplanning/projectevaluation/benefitscases/GO_RER_Initial_Business_Case_EN.pdf Full Report]
• [http://www.metrolinx.com/en/regionalplanning/projectevaluation/benefitscases/GO_RER_Initial_Business_Case_Appendix_A-J_EN.pdf Appendices A-J]
• A: Corridor Specifications
• B: Corridor and System Schematics
• C: Model Assumptions and Results
• D: Record of Assumptions – Direct Demand Model
• E: Financial Performance of GO Expansion Systems
• F: Sensitivity Analysis
• G: Wider Economic Benefits
• H: Line Speed Analysis
• I: Environmental Assessment Program
• J: Fare Structure Issues and Solutions
• [http://www.metrolinx.com/en/regionalplanning/projectevaluation/benefitscases/GO_RER_Initial_Business_Case_Appendix_K_EN.pdf Appendix K: Station Access Analysis]

{{GO Transit}}

{{Big Move RT}}

Category:Metrolinx

Category:Transportation planning

Category:Transport in Toronto

Category:Transport in the Greater Toronto Area

Category:The Big Move projects

Category:Railway electrification in Canada

Category:Proposed public transport in the Greater Toronto Area