GO Transit Celebrates 58 Years of Innovation and Growth

On a cool May morning in 1967, GO Transit began operations with a single train departing Oakville Station, launching what would become North America’s most ambitious regional transit expansion. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Originally a three-year pilot, the service quickly gained momentum as ridership surged. By 1970, GO introduced its bus division to reach areas beyond the rail line, offering greater regional coverage and flexibility.

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New routes followed swiftly. In 1974, the Kitchener Line—then the Georgetown Line—extended GO Transit westward. In 1978, bi-level coaches were introduced, followed by the Richmond Hill Line’s colorful debut.

Festivities for that opening included clowns, ribbon cutting, and a vintage locomotive, capturing public attention. Ridership reached new highs as service coverage and reliability improved across the growing region.

The 1980s brought new lines to Milton, Bradford, and Stouffville. The Willowbrook Maintenance Facility quietly became a core part of GO Transit operations, ensuring safe and reliable fleet performance.

Experimentation fueled progress. One early example was Dial-A-Bus, a minivan-based rideshare offering doorstep pickups. Though short-lived, it reflected a willingness to innovate and adapt.

GO Transit upgraded its fleet over time with more efficient coaches and powerful locomotives. It also introduced accessibility improvements in 1995, making several stations wheelchair-friendly and reinforcing equity in transit design.

A decade later, a $1 billion investment modernized infrastructure through track extensions and bridge separations. These upgrades laid the groundwork for even broader service improvements.

In 2015, the UP Express launched, offering a direct connection to Pearson Airport. PRESTO’s integration into mobile wallets and the One Fare Program further simplified fare payments for daily riders.

Expanding GO Transit for the Next Generation

Today, GO Transit continues evolving with billions in investments focused on growing capacity and access across Ontario. The goal is to quadruple train traffic through Union Station and eliminate the need to check schedules.

All-day, two-way service will reduce car dependency by 145,000 vehicles per day. Expansion will reach as far as Niagara, Barrie, and Durham, connecting communities with faster, more reliable transit options.

GO Transit Prepares for 200 Million Riders by 2055

Modernized stations and streamlined services are helping GO Transit meet future demand. From serving its first million in months to welcoming nearly 60 million annually, it now targets over 200 million riders by 2055.

Source, photo: www.metrolinx.com

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