GO Transit Information
GO Transit is an inter-regional public transit system serving the Southern Ontario region of Canada. The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area is its largest service area, but it also provides services to many communities in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The network includes both buses and diesel trains, and is linked to several other regional transit operators, namely Via Rail and the Toronto Transit Commission.
The first public transit system of its kind in Canada, the first regular passenger service was run in May 1967. Since then, the network has evolved from a single line system to a seven line rail network with the addition of a complementary bus service. Today, the GO Transit bus and subway network serves up to seven million commuters in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. The entire network can be described by a circle with a radius of one hundred and forty kilometres, centred on downtown Toronto. The extremities of the service may be defined by the following locations: Niagara Falls forms the southern boundary; Newcastle and Peterborough are to the east; Beaverton, Barrie and Orangeville are to the north; while Waterloo and Hamilton are to the west. Each of the seven lines, or rail corridors, depart from Toronto’s Union Station. While the operators have designated colours for each of the different lines, colloquial usage insists that the lines be referred to by their individual names.
GO Transit buses are primarily used to fill in for the metro when it is not operating, but they also provide access to the network for those who live far from one of the direct metro lines. The functions of the bus service are not limited as they also provide intra-city connectivity and operate on state highways. There are also GO Transit buses to the airport, but it is the seamless connection with the Metro service that is most attractive to commuters.
Go Transit Map
Map of GO Transit showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the map in PDF format.
GO Transit Timings and Schedule
The GO Transit has both metro as well as bus facilities available. The timings for each differ slightly. Each particular route has different timings.
For more information with regard to the timings and schedules of trains as well as busses, you can visit the official website.
GO Transit Fares, Tickets and Cards
Go Transit fares are distance or zone based. The same ticket can be used to travel on a Go bus or Go train, or a combination of both. Frequent travellers can use the PRESTO CARD, which is an electronic card that can be recharged. An adult Presto card is available for citizens aged 13-64 and is valid for the full fare. A senior Presto card is valid for citizens aged 65 and over. The single fare for senior citizens is half the single fare for adults. The single fare for children aged 6-12 is half the adult single fare. Children under 1 year of age travel free of charge. A child aged 1-5 years can travel free when accompanied by a paying adult. Students in junior high, primary and secondary schools, as well as university and college students, are entitled to student discounts.
Passengers can purchase single tickets to travel between two fare zones.
A Day Pass can be used for unlimited travel in one day between two specified fare zones. The pass is non-refundable and valid only on the day of purchase. The price of the pass is double the price of a single adult/child fare.
The Group Pass can also be purchased for a group of up to five people. The pass is valid only on the date of travel. No discounts are available for people travelling on GO Group Passes.
There is a special type of pass for people with a specific disability who require assistance from others. They can travel with an adult on a single ticket, but they must ensure that they are accompanied by that adult at all times during the journey.
GO Transit Routes and Stations
The Go Transit Rail system consists of seven lines:
- Lakeshore West – This line is eastbound and runs towards Union Station.
- Milton – This line is eastbound and runs towards Union Station.
- Kitchener – This line is eastbound and goes to Union station.
- Barrie – This line is northbound and goes to Barrie station.
- Richmond Hill – This line runs north towards Richmond Hill.
- Stouffville – This line is northbound and runs to Lincolnville.
- Lakeshore East – This line is eastbound and runs to Oshawa.
GO Transit Parking
Most stations have parking facilities. There is no parking fee, but parking is on a first come, first served basis. You can use the parking facilities for a maximum of 48 hours and you can also reserve/rent a parking space if required.
GO Transit Safety Rules and Tips
It is advisable to stay behind the Yellow Line for your own safety. Avoid crowds at stations, spread out when waiting on the platform for a train to arrive. Use only the designated crossings when crossing railway lines, otherwise serious injury may result. If you are on a bus, never chase it, even if you miss it. Wait for the next one. You can ask the driver to stop the bus anywhere along the route, as long as it can be stopped safely. However, this request can only be made during the hours of darkness.
GO Transit Services
Bicycles are allowed on GO trains on weekends and public holidays. Non-folding bicycles are not permitted on weekdays during peak periods on all trains arriving at Union Station between 6:30am and 9:30am, or on trains departing Union Station between 3:30pm and 6:30pm.
All items lost on the GO Transit system will be taken to the Lost and Found office at Union Station. It takes approximately 2-5 business days for items to be delivered to the Lost and Found office. Unclaimed items are then donated to The Scott Mission, a charitable organisation. The Lost and Found number is 416.869.3600 ext. 7273 and the hours are 6:15 am to 7:30 pm on weekdays and 10:00 am to 5:30 pm on weekends (closed on public holidays).