Riders react to Hamilton’s new West Harbour GO station

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It cost $50 million to build and is part of the Liberal government’s $34 billion big move to alleviate traffic congestion in the GTHA. But is Hamilton’s new West Harbour GO station delivering on its promises?

It has been open for three weeks, but you wouldn’t know it by the limited number of passengers using the station. This morning about a dozen people showed up to take the first train which left Hamilton at 6:15. About 20 boarded the next one a half hour later.

“Quarter to six was the last train, I was taking that home.”
“There were about six people on the train so it was like having a private train coming home.”

The passengers we spoke with this morning said they loved the fact they could take a GO train from this West Harbour location. What they didn’t like was the limited number of trains available.

“I would prefer a lot more trains. Instead of the two in two out. Maybe a midday one because I work some night shifts.”
“We need at least one or two more for late in the evening.”
“I’m lucky it happens to line up with my schedule but we’d love to see more trains for sure.”

Metrolinx says they plan to add more trains, but won’t say when. The problem is, the rails are owned by CN and negotiations for more GO access are dragging on with no end in sight.

“I’m a bit disappointed with that. All the money and effort going into making this station and using it in such a limited way seems like a shame.”

Another passenger complaint is parking – or the lack of it.

“It’s the parking more or less. Like when you come in you don’t have a place to park your car so you have to get picked up.”

Metrolinx says 300 parking spaces are in their plans at the West Harbour location, but they won’t be available until 2016. But based on current ridership, they won’t be needed until they add more trains.