GOKW.org gets excellent response from the community

Less than a month after the launch of GO K-W, the website to advocate bringing GO service to the Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, and Cambridge region, our site has been in at least two newspapers and was the top story on last night's CKCO (local CTV) news. Of 108 election candidates contacted, 35 have responded to our survey, and the opinion is virtually unanimous: we need GO train service to this region.

We only have the manpower to reach the candidates by email, and only around two-thirds of candidates have email addresses posted. Of those, one third have so far replied.

We only contacted the mayoral candidates in Halton Hills as it is only peripherally affected by our request, in the town of Acton between Georgetown and Guelph. Both candidates contacted replied quickly and positively. Candidates in Guelph, Kitchener, and Waterloo have replied in large numbers very favourably to our ideas, but Cambridge has curiously not replied to us much at all. Of three candidates for Cambridge representatives at Waterloo Region contacted, none have replied, and of all the councillors and mayoral candidates in Cambridge, only two candidates have replied as of this afternoon. Cambridge also has the fewest candidates with public email addresses.

Cambridge announced a Greyhound commuter terminal plan at the start of the election campaign, where a large parking lot and bus station would be built at the 401. The demand for commuter service in Cambridge is very high, so the lack of response is puzzling.

The best response we have gotten has been from candidates for the Region of Waterloo, who all agree that GO service is essential and realise that their regional board is critical to its introduction. Of 18 candidates contacted, 10 have replied, making it the only jurisdiction where a majority of those contacted have answered.

Two weeks ago, both the Guelph Mercury (registration required) and Guelph Tribune reported on GO K-W and our mission, and last night, Steve Host, who is spearheading this effort, was interviewed by CKCO on this topic, and it and GO K-W were the lead story on their evening newscast.

The response has been overwhelming and positive, so the question becomes: why isn't our region even mentionned on GO transit's 10 year rail plan?

Posted at 14:46 on November 01, 2006

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Rebecca writes at Mon Nov 27 14:46:38 2006...

Originally from Guelph living in Toronto. Untilrecently I used public transit full time and I'd like to share some transit experiences coming to Guelph/K.W. on weekends, Go is too slow with bus service traveling milk runs with stops and transfers taking up to 2 &1/2 to 3 hrs. one way to reach Guelph from Toronto! Greyhound is alright but can be packed, have seen people forced to stand on the bus! Outside rush hours GO train service decreases, strange to be on a double decker car and feel as though you are the only one on board. Go uses freight carriers tracks so any rail or computer problems passengers are delayed or even stranded with little to no notice and no back up. Suburban GO/Greyhound destinations are frequently not staffed outside rush hours so little to no resources are available to find fares and schedules.Liked VIA Rail but not enough schedules.Inter suburban transit life means traveling commonly out of your way to a central terminal then purchasing tickets and boarding to your destination, double fares and more lost time. Even in the GTA where there is little to no difference between suburbs double fares and lengthy travel times often in crowded uncomfortable buses makes one head for the car keys. Even here in Toronto, transit is dirty and off the subway surface is too slow and unreliable.I have purchased a car and have doubts that transit will work in Canada

Rebecca writes at Mon Dec 11 17:48:33 2006...

SLOW GOing-Latest GO Train Performance Numbers

82% of GO trains met their schedules down from 94% in Oct./05. Of the 837 train delays 55 ran longer than 30 minutes,perhaps most memorable was the Oct.30 slowdown when a test of a new signal system caused nine train cancellations! GO managing director Gary McNeil offers cold comfort "It's going to be a rough road" He means with widespread GO(GTA)service expansion the commuter can expect growing pains for the next couple of years. The new construction all at once is a result of 2004 federal and provincial funding for expansion however GO is saddled with a 2011 expiry date."This is work needed over the last 20 years however it has to be completed in six years".-Condensed from Traffic Control by David Bruser Transit Toronto Star Mon.Dec.11/06

My own feeling with this catch up funding for GTA construction the city of Cambridge has the right idea by focusing on partnering with Greyhound. It's too bad however quick,efficient,and reliable GO train services are years off and for KW,Cambridge & Guelph very likely impossible.Nobody wants to be stranded wondering how and when to get home.