The Transit Alliance would like to wish Go Transit a happy 50th anniversary!
Go Transit was never supposed to be what it is now — a fully integrated transit system helping commuters from across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) navigate the expansive region.
At 5:50 a.m. on May 23, 1967, Go Transit launched it’s first coach train from Oakville. The line had 14 stops between Oakville and Pickering, and each coach could hold 125 people, with seating for 94.
“Fifty years ago today, the government began what was called an experiment in public transit,” Ontario Minister of Transportation, Steven Del Duca, said at the Metrolinx anniversary event. The three-year project met it’s first year passenger projections in just under six months, carrying about 2.5 million riders in 1967 alone.
Obviously, the Government of Ontario understood the need to connect people from across the Golden Horseshoe. People craved a car-free way to get from their home to their place of work in a safe and comfortable environment. And Go Transit worked! It has grown immensely since it’s creation as a three-year experiment, now carrying about 70 million passengers every year!
And, it’s still growing. As John Jenson, CEO of Metrolinx, said in a statement this morning, an anniversary like this is time to reflect, not just on the past, but also on the future. Metrolinx has a number of exciting things planned for the next few years, including new stations, extended hours, and the promise of two-way service, every 15 minutes along major routes!
So, how will you celebrate this special anniversary?
Maybe visit the Toronto Railway Museum and check out the fully-restored original Go Train coach that was donated by Go Transit specifically for this occasion. This on-site permanent exhibition will also feature other historical artifacts and is open to the public.
Minister of Transportation @StevenDelDuca speaking to how critical @GOtransit has been and is to Toronto region. pic.twitter.com/tXo2fwprUj
— TorontoRailwayMuseum (@TORailwayMuseum) May 23, 2017
Here’s to another 50 years of successful transit innovation!
