• Metrolinx is reintroducing nighttime rail service for Stouffville line GO passengers beginning April 27, 2024.
  • Five new Stouffville-bound trains will depart Union Station after 7 p.m.:
    • Two weekday trips at 11:12 p.m. and 12:12 a.m.
    • Three weekend trips at 9:11 p.m., 10:11 p.m., and 11:11 p.m.
  • To accommodate the new service, Metrolinx is terminating five return trains at Mount Joy GO:
    • The weekday trains at 6:12 p.m. and 7:12 p.m.
    • The weekend trains at 5:11 p.m., 6:11 p.m., and 7:11 p.m.
  • Bus connections at Mount Joy will bring riders utilizing these impacted trains to Stouffville under the new schedule, however they come with an average 10.5 minutes of additional travel time.
  • New southbound evening rail service from Mount Joy has also been announced for weekdays, and Stouffville riders can connect via GO Bus to the 7:34 p.m. and 9:34 p.m. departures.
  • Current weekend buses departing Old Elm at 5:55 p.m. and 8 p.m. will require a rail transfer at Mount Joy, adding upwards of 20 minutes to travel times.
  • Current weekend buses departing Old Elm at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. will be eliminated.
  • Further changes are included within the new schedule, which is available here for review.

 

Bullet Point News contacted Metrolinx to delve deeper into the new schedule and rationale behind reductions to existing service. “By not stopping the 6:12 p.m. and 7:12 p.m. trains at these stations, we are able to cycle the trains back and forth between Mount Joy to Union Station on an hourly basis to accommodate growing ridership at the stations in between,” a Metrolinx spokesperson explained.

Metrolinx also underscored low ridership on the affected rail trips, emphasizing the importance of efficient resource allocation. For instance, their data revealed an average of 41 passengers disembarking in Stouffville during the 6:12 p.m. and 7:12 p.m. weekday returns. Addressing the needs of impacted riders, Metrolinx highlighted the availability of Mount Joy bus connections.

Some local commuters voiced discontent over the service reductions. “I take the Union-Stouffville route every weekend both ways, and sometimes on weekdays,” one commuter detailed. “Instead of getting a direct bus ride for our weekend trip, we will have to take a bus to Mount Joy and then take the train. This will take me more time, and I’m really disappointed in service getting worse while being advertised as something else.”

In contrast, Mayor Lovatt expressed optimism regarding the overall expansion of service along the Stouffville line in comments distributed through an Ontario government press release: “Our vibrant municipality is quickly coming to be known as one of the best places to live in the GTA. This increased train frequency will enable our existing and future residents to more easily travel to and from Union Station and all stops in between. I thank the provincial government for their continued commitment to supporting public transportation.”

While Stouffville is earmarked for future two-way all-day service, necessary infrastructure upgrades are still in the planning phase. Metrolinx outlined requirements including a new platform at Mount Joy GO and a second track from 16th Avenue to Castlemore Avenue. Additionally, a future turnback signal will enable trains to reverse direction without having to reach the end of the line.