GO Transit: Service thread (including extensions)

[reaperexpress]

In addition to Stratford, this will also boost tourism downstream in Guelph and the Tri-Cities. I realized responding to someone on the ATmosphere that you could technically get to Elmira 100% by rail, though getting back on the same day may be difficult. WB GO Kitchener Line >> NB ION LRT >> NB Waterloo Central Railway

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The Waterloo Central Railway is not a useful transportation service because its top speed is 16 km/h. It takes 45 minutes to get from Waterloo to Elmira, only runs three times per day on thursdays and saturdays only and costs $26 for a day pass (you can't buy a one-way ticket). You'd only use it if the purpose of your trip was to ride the Waterloo Central Railway.

For people who just want to get to Elmira it makes more sense to take GRT route 21, which departs every 30 minutes from Conestoga LRT station and takes 27 minutes to get to downtown Elmira, with a free transfer from the LRT (which itself is a free transfer from the GO train).

 

[crs1026]

The Waterloo Central Railway is not a useful transportation service because its top speed is 16 km/h. It takes 45 minutes to get from Waterloo to Elmira, only runs three times per day and costs $26 round trip (you can't buy a one-way ticket). You'd only use it if the purpose of your trip was to ride the Waterloo Central Railway.

For people who just want to get to Elmira it makes more sense to take GRT route 21, which departs every 30 minutes from Conestoga LRT station and takes 27 minutes to get to downtown Elmira, with a free transfer from the LRT (which itself is a free transfer from the GO train).

Lol Hey don't sell WCR short. The "hopper" fare is an all day ticket, allows the rider to board at Northfield, get off at Farmers Market or in St Jacobs, catch the next train to Elmira, and then layover there and come back on the last train to Northfield. So it saves a couple bus fares in the process.

Seriously, WCR is not a transit provider.... but it's a pretty fun day trip. Hopefully the new GO trains do make it and other tourist attractions in the area more attractive for folks down the line..

- Paul

 

[Metroscapes]

The Waterloo Central Railway is not a useful transportation service because its top speed is 16 km/h. It takes 45 minutes to get from Waterloo to Elmira, only runs three times per day on thursdays and saturdays only and costs $26 for a day pass (you can't buy a one-way ticket). You'd only use it if the purpose of your trip was to ride the Waterloo Central Railway.

For people who just want to get to Elmira it makes more sense to take GRT route 21, which departs every 30 minutes from Conestoga LRT station and takes 27 minutes to get to downtown Elmira, with a free transfer from the LRT (which itself is a free transfer from the GO train).
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Lol Hey don't sell WCR short. The "hopper" fare is an all day ticket, allows the rider to board at Northfield, get off at Farmers Market or in St Jacobs, catch the next train to Elmira, and then layover there and come back on the last train to Northfield. So it saves a couple bus fares in the process.

Seriously, WCR is not a transit provider.... but it's a pretty fun day trip. Hopefully the new GO trains do make it and other tourist attractions in the area more attractive for folks down the line..

- Paul

No disagreements, the only point being that you have a municipally owned railway, there should be a way to swing simultaneous regional transit operations with heritage excursion in series. It's a wasted opportunity, all because the province is still so tepid to expand outside of the GTA, and run with top-heavy management of the operation.

My thinking if a municipal railway (e.g. GJR, WCR) can own a corridor and contract a third party to operate freight services, it should be able to contract someone to operate passenger services.

 

[nfitz]

No disagreements, the only point being that you have a municipally owned railway, there should be a way to swing simultaneous regional transit operations with heritage excursion in series. It's a wasted opportunity, all because the province is still so tepid to expand outside of the GTA, and run with top-heavy management of the operation.

How would that ever be mor economical than continuing to run the regular bus?

The railway is not municipally-owned. Nor is that tourist train service.

 

[taylortbb]

The railway is not municipally-owned. Nor is that tourist train service.

The region is the owner of the tracks, that's how they were able to use the corridor for ION. Their agreement with CN for freight does include the clause they can terminate freight service if necessary for ION operations.