QUEEN’S PARK – Ontario NDP Niagara-Centre MPP, Jeff Burch, called on the Ford Conservatives to make expansion of Niagara Go Transit service to Niagara Falls an immediate priority, saying year-round service would help maximize local economic development and help families and communities thrive.
“The expansion will inject $195 million into the Niagara region, create 2,400 new permanent full-time jobs as well as another 1,200 full-time jobs during construction,” Burch said. “It will connect the people of Niagara with employment opportunities around the GTA, and it will connect the residents of the GTA to the region’s wineries, gaming and horseracing facilities, and of course our iconic Niagara Falls.”
Previous governments have made reference to GO Train expansion as a top priority yet, more than two years later, the people of Niagara still have no idea when year-round service will resume. According to Metrolinx reports, there were about 25,000 passenger trips on the seasonal service in 2015 and 2016, but last summer saw ridership soar by almost 50 per cent.
“GO service is vital for connecting our community with the rest of the GTA,” Burch said. “It will bring more jobs to the Niagara region and will support our local tourism industry.”
Burch pressed Ford to commit to year-round service.
“So I ask again will this government commit today to providing a time-line for expanding GO Train service to Niagara?Ford’s government refused to make that commitment.