GO will make travelling to Barrie easier this summer with trains running from Union Station to the Allandale Waterfront GO Station on weekends and holidays.
Beginning June 29 and running through Labour Day Monday, four trains in each direction will connect the two stations, with GO Bus service in the Barrie corridor and on routes between the Rutherford GO Station and Canada's Wonderland, connecting with the weekend and holiday trains.
The service between Barrie and Toronto is part of Metrolinx's regional transportation plan, says spokesperson Malon Edwards. The plan, The Big Move, is looking at the long-term goal of two-way, all-day service between Union Station and Barrie's East Gwillimbury station. Mr. Edwards said the goal is to implement this service within the next 15 years.
This will be the second year the Ontario government has run this summer route, whichhas an estimated 100 riders each trip.
"GO Bus connections would allow passengers travelling to and from Simcoe County to benefit from the proposed expanded GO Train service," Mr. Edwards said.
Additional cars have also been added on the Barrie train service "to meet increasing ridership demand and make it more comfortable with customers."
GO has also announced their seasonal service between Toronto and Niagara Falls is returning for the Victoria Day weekend and then again June 29 through Sept. 2, and then for Thanksgiving weekend. A GO Bus shuttle will also be offered between St. Catharines and Niagara-on-the-Lake.