Why doesn’t GO Transit electrify its system now?
A. Electrification has been part of Metrolinx’s goal of supporting a more sustainable and greener future. The process of moving to electrification is a one which is complex and requires careful consideration. Metrolinx announced on May 26th 2009, its intent to study the many requirements of an electrified system including a review of cost implications to GO Transit and its riders, where the power for electrification will come from and how updates would need to be completed to support electrification. In the meantime, one GO Train takes 1,670 vehicles off the road and the entire rail removes more than 25,000 single-occupancy vehicles from GTA roads every weekday. GO Transit is also looking at expanding to serve more potential riders including, Kitchener/ Waterloo, Guelph, Bolton, Oshawa and Bowmanville, measures that will further reduce congestion and traffic across the GT A. Electrification is just one part of GO Transit’s agenda to benefit the environment through its operations.
