The new station building at Oshawa Go Station has officially opened. Although it is already operational, the station building, which is shared with VIA Rail, will be complete in spring 2018, after which time the old station building is set to be demolished.
The new Oshawa Go Station features a modern ticketing counter and waiting area, bigger public restrooms and, once it is complete, a canopy to connect the new station building with VIA Rail’s pedestrian bridge, which will protect passengers from the elements.
The new facility will also include changes to the parking area, bike racks and kiss and ride lot, making it easier for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to access the station. It is designed to LEED standards for sustainability.
The building cost $14 million to construct, funded by Ontario and VIA Rail, which provided $4.3 million to the project. The upgraded station is part of Ontario’s $21.3 billion transformation of the GO Transit network from a commuter transit system to a regional rapid transit system. Weekly trips across the entire GO rail network are estimated to increase from 1,500 to nearly 6,000 by 2024-25, with electrified trains leaving Oshawa Go Station towards Union Station every 15 minutes.
The province is also reducing the cost of commuting from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Beginning in July 2018, adult, senior, youth and student commuters will pay a TTC fare of $1.50 when they use a PRESTO card to transfer from GO Transit or the UP Express to the TTC.
“This new station represents the future of public transportation in the region. It is a natural extension of the great collaboration that exists between GO Transit and VIA Rail. By allowing VIA Rail to use its track infrastructure, GO Transit has optimized the use of a precious public asset,” said Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, president and CEO of VIA Rail Canada, in a press release. “Today’s announcement is one more reason for travellers to make the smart choice and leave their cars at home. It’s another example of how by working together, we can build an inclusive economy while reducing the carbon footprint of transportation in Canada.”
