KITCHENER - Metrolinx officials told a town hall in Kitchener Monday that two-way service is still on the horizon.
During the town hall, Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster told residents that an ideal Kitchener GO corridor would have double-track sections, a flyover between Mt. Pleasant and Georgetown, and more service at each stop.
Verster said there is also a clear plan to invest in the track from Georgetown to Kitchener.
"We're expanding the service quite a lot from what it is now and what it will be in a couple years' time. So the real message here is that the two-way all-day service to Kitchener will ramp up gradually."
He said Metrolinx will have the first two-way services ready to go long before the regional deadline, which is around 2025 or 2027.
The Metrolinx Town Hall drew over 200 people with questions about the future of some of our region's transit services.
Metrolinx representatives also confirmed that they are working on a plan that may make the Electrified Regional Express Rail a reality for the Kitchener line.
Electrified rails can be cheaper, faster and easier to control.
Verster said those plans are still in development, but there are also other exciting new features that will soon be ready for the Kitchener train line.
"On the Kitchener line, we are spending about $75 million on both track and signalling. This infrastructure - track and signalling - is important for us because it will create passing points for us on the single track line."
Track and signalling systems could enable two-way train service.
Metrolinx also confirmed last night that they are working on getting approved to build a brand new station at Breslau, and that they would support any plans of moving the Kitchener GO station closer to King Street, to help make a connection with the ION.
