Brantford officials push for GO train service to ease commuting

Getting in and out of Brantford may become easier, if city officials can get the province onboard with their plans.

They want to extend GO train service to Brantford, and the mayor says this could solve traffic problems and expand economic opportunities throughout Ontario.

Commuter, Margaret Brown, says although it’s expensive, she takes VIA Rail because it’s faster than the GO bus and she doesn’t want to drive in heavy traffic.

She wonders how commuters manage the trip every day, and thinks it would be great to have a GO train station in Brantford.

Highway 403 in Brantford can get fairly congested at critical times of the day.

Reducing traffic congestion at critical points like where the 403 and Lincoln Alexandre Parkway merge, has been identified by the city as concerning. And with even more growth expected, it may likely get worse.

CHCH News caught up with mayor Kevin Davis at the Brantford train station. He is trying to gain support to have a GO train station in Brantford.

The current CN Rail line would play a critical role for future GO train service since the rail line is already set up.

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“What we just did this week, is the City of Brantford submitted a business case. It’s for Go train service extending it from Aldershot through Brantford and eventually right through to London,” said mayor Davis.

The 35 page business case lists a population of just over 104,000 in 2021.

It projects the city’s expected population growth to be 165,000 in 2051

“This is going to become the EV capital of Canada and perhaps North America. From here, right through to Chatam Kent. And there is a lot of need for moving people, not just between here and Union Station, but between here and Burlington, here and Hamilton, here and Woodstock, here and London,” said Davis.

Right now the city is served by GO bus station and the closest go train station is in Aldershot.

“I’ve only been in Brantford for 10 years. I used to use the go train when I lived elsewhere when it was available so it’s a good thing,” said Margret Brown.

It’s up to the province and Metrolinx to decide if this idea becomes a reality.

Mayor Davis says initial meetings are expected to take place with the Ministry of Transportation before the end of the year.

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