TORONTO, April 15, 2011 /CNW/ - GO Transit will be once again offering weekend rail service between Toronto and Niagara Falls beginning on Victoria Day weekend. Weekend train trips will run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

"We are pleased to be able to restore our weekend rail service between Toronto and Niagara Falls," said GO Transit President, Gary McNeil. "Passengers rely on our rail service to provide a fast, convenient and cost effective travel option for their summer weekend getaways. We know that we will also attract new passengers who want to explore the beautiful Niagara Region."

The service will operate as a seasonal service for the Victoria Day weekend - May 20th to 23rd. Regular summer weekend service will run each weekend from June 24th to September 5th and then return to a seasonal service again for the final weekend operation - Thanksgiving - October 7th to 10th.

Every trip will accommodate passengers boarding at Union, Exhibition, Port Credit, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls station stops. Each train will be equipped with bicycle coaches - specially designed rail cars for passengers' bicycles. Riders are able to use their locks to secure their bike and enjoy a comfortable ride to their destination in one of the other coaches.

"Public transit is an important priority for our government, which is why we've invested over $4.7 billion in GO Transit since 2003," said Ontario Minister of Transportation, Kathleen Wynne. "Taking the GO Train to Niagara is an easy and comfortable way to travel and enjoy all that the Niagara region has to offer."

The service will offer one trip each way on Friday evenings and three trips each day on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays between Niagara Falls and Toronto.

For more information on GO services, the public can call 416.869.3200, 1.888.GET ON GO (438.6646), 1.800.387.3652 TTY, or visit gotransit.com.

GO Transit is the Province of Ontario's interregional public transit system linking Toronto with the surrounding regions of the Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area. GO carries about 57 million passengers a year in an extensive network of train and bus services that spans over 10,000 square kilometres. GO Transit is a division of Metrolinx, an agency of the Province of Ontario. Follow GO on Twitter and Facebook.

TORONTO, Feb. 1 /CNW/ - GO Transit will operate under an adjusted winter schedule on Lakeshore East, Lakeshore West and Georgetown tomorrow morning due to severe weather. Click on Service Updates at gotransit.com for the adjusted schedule and the latest information about how winter weather is affecting GO service.

Customers are asked to monitor gotransit.com, listen for announcements, sign up for E-News, watch the departure boards at Union Station and monitor the news media for updates on the weather and GO Train and Bus service.

Adjusting service is something GO considers when harsh weather hits. This is part of GO's overall winter planning and the purpose is to run as much service as possible in order to get passengers to their destinations safely. The adjusted schedule means that express trains will make all stops. This limits the number of trains crossing over onto other tracks, reducing the likelihood of switch problems, as well as snow and ice buildup. GO will also adjust buses so they meet adjusted trains as best as possible. The goal is to accommodate as many customers as best as possible.

GO will continue to monitor the weather and will provide updates on any adjustments to service, including when regular service will resume.

For more information, the public can call 416.869.3200, 1.888.GET ON GO (438.6646), 1.800.387.3652 TTY, or monitor gotransit.com.

We promise to keep you in the know.

GO Transit is the Province of Ontario's interregional public transit system linking Toronto with the surrounding regions of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). GO carries nearly 55 million passengers a year in an extensive network of train and bus services that spans over 10,000 square kilometres. GO Transit is a division of Metrolinx, an agency of the Province of Ontario. Follow GO on Twitter and Facebook.

TORONTO - Metrolinx today released the findings of its comprehensive study of the electrification for the entire GO Transit rail system and the future Air Rail Link (ARL).

After a careful review of the findings, the staff is recommending to the Metrolinx Board of Directors to move forward on the electrification of the GO Georgetown and Lakeshore corridors in phases, beginning with the ARL on the Georgetown corridor.

"Transforming the GO Transit rail network from diesel to electric will create long term transportation benefits for our steadily growing ridership and we need to begin now," said Metrolinx President and CEO Bruce McCuaig. "When combined with the service levels planned for in The Big Move, electrification would represent a significant step towards Express Rail as set out in our regional transportation plan."

The Electrification Study concluded that there are transportation benefits to electrification, which increase over time and as service levels increase. The primary benefits of electrification include shorter travel times for riders and lower operating costs.

High ridership numbers and existing infrastructure improvements make the Lakeshore and Georgetown corridors the strongest candidates for electrification.

The consultant's final report, appendices and staff recommendations are available online at gotransit.com/estudy. They will be reviewed at a special meeting of the Board of Directors on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 where the Board will make a recommendation to the Ontario Minister of Transportation.

Metrolinx is the province's regional transportation agency for the GTHA. For more information, visit our website www.metrolinx.com.

GO Transit is the Province of Ontario's regional public transit service linking Toronto with the surrounding regions of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). GO carries over 55 million passengers a year in an extensive network of train and bus services that spans over 10,000 square kilometres. GO Transit is a division of Metrolinx.

GO listened to its passengers and is making an improvement to the schedule this year by offering a Friday night train trip to help travellers start their weekends. With many weekend trips to pick from, customers will be able to enjoy the scenic route to Niagara with stops in Toronto, Port Credit, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, and Niagara Falls.

This GO service will provide an alternative to driving to either the popular Niagara Falls region or to Toronto. Come enjoy the many exciting attractions that the Niagara region has to offer including wineries, restaurants, the Falls, casinos, and much more.

Specific information about the Niagara Falls weekend GO Train service, including schedules and fares will be available closer to the start of service in the spring. Go to gotransit.com/zip for more information.