Staffing shortages cause GO Transit cancellations, new schedule to be released

Metrolinx says a new reduced schedule for GO Transit services will be released next week as the company navigates a staffing shortage that has caused several GO train cancellations.

Anne Marie Aikins, Chief Spokesperson at Metrolinx, says GO Transit is experiencing a high rate of absenteeism due to Omicron throughout the entire organization with both staff illness and isolations. Aikins says the rail division was already experiencing labour shortages prior to the influx of Omicron cases.

GO Transit runs approximately 500 rail trips daily but over the holidays, about 10 to 15 of those trips were canceled each day due to staffing shortages.

Aikins says Metrolinx is currently working on a schedule that will see about up to 15 per cent of trips temporarily canceled until further notice. She added the trips will not be replaced by buses.

“Our team is planning a new temporary schedule that will be very strategic about cancellations so customers can expect a level of service that will get them where they need to go,” said Aikins. “We know this is just temporary until we’re through this wave of the pandemic but appreciate our customers understanding and patience during this challenging time.”

Aikins says they are working to equitably distribute services across the region while dealing with the rising cases of COVID-19.

On Tuesday, multiple train services in Hamilton, Niagara Falls, Kitchener, Stouffville, Richmond Hill, and Barrie have been canceled or delayed, including a number of rush-hour services.

The Hamilton GO Centre 07:22 – Union Station 08:30 #GOtrain has been cancelled. https://t.co/vwtZS01TiU for your travel options.

— Lakeshore West Train (@GOtransitLW) January 4, 2022

The new reduced schedule is set to be released on Jan. 9 and will go into effect on Jan. 10.

Riders are being urged to check the service updates on GO’s website before heading out the door.

Reminder: The Niagara Falls GO 06:39 – Union Station 09:00 #GOtrain has been cancelled tomorrow. If you were planning on taking this trip, we have organized some GO buses that will run on or near scheduled train times. Click https://t.co/vwtZS01TiU for more details.

— Lakeshore West Train (@GOtransitLW) January 4, 2022