Monday, January 07, 2013

Acton BIA welcomes passengers to new GO train stop

Nancy Wilkes, Chair of the Acton Business Improvement Area, joined other celebs and politicians as the GO Transit commuter train returned to Acton on January 7, 2013. Metrolinx commitment to bring the trains back to the GTA town of Acton was fulfilled when the 6:28 am train from Kitchener pulled into the new transit stop beside the (Olde) Hide House. The GO Kitchener Line, formerly known as the Georgetown Line, makes stops in Guelph, both Acton and Georgetown (Halton Hills) before heading into Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto.

Politicians greeting passengers at the new stop included MPP Ted Arnott, Mayor Rick Bonnette (both pictured at top on the first train), MP Michael Chong, Halton Region Chairman Gary Carr and several municipal/regional Councillors including Clark Somerville, Jon Hurst and Bryan Lewis. The representatives worked hard at all levels to get the transit stop and provided a land lease to the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority (Metrolinx). There were treats like muffins, coffee and juices as well as a gift bag from the BIA filled with valuable coupons and other items from local businesses like Acton Optical.
The first GO Transit train pulls into the station on January 7, 2013 since 1993
"We are pleased to bring GO rail service to Acton and provide additional options for travellers in this very busy corridor," said Gary McNeil, GO Transit President. "With the addition of this new station, we are making it easier for residents to choose to leave their cars at home and use GO Transit."

For now the train service in Acton features two morning trips eastbound and two evening trips west towards Kitchener. "This is great news for Acton and area residents," said Town of Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette. "The addition of this service in our area gives commuters and students in our area a public transit choice for traveling to work or school. We are very excited for the restoration of train service to Acton after an absence of nearly 20 years."

The early winter morning highlighted the importance of the new heated platform shelters.

Michael Chong says "The new service is made possible by the federal government’s $15 million investment in 2009 to improve the Credit River bridge on the GO Transit line through Georgetown. The provincial government matched this federal investment, providing a total of $30 million to add a second track to the Credit River, as well as provisions for a third track. These bridge improvements, which were completed in 2010, were critical to support the increasing local demand for public transit and vital to the future expansion of GO Transit service in the region, including the new Acton station."

Related Posts by Categories



Widget by Hoctro | Jack Book

No comments:

Doors Open

Scarborough Bluffs

Pride

Redball

Beaches

Graffiti

Lake Ontario

Nathan Phillips Square

Transportation