GO Transit makes it easier to get to McMaster

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[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/go_id.jpg” caption=”On-the-spot processing of GO Transit ID cards for eligible McMaster students was offered during Welcome Week.”]For students, staff and faculty who use GO Transit to travel to McMaster, the trip will be faster and more convenient with new services announced by the Ontario Government.

The improvements, which involve York University and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology/Durham College as well as McMaster, will see expanded bus service between York University and McMaster.

“McMaster has already seen extensive improvements in GO Transit service over the past few years,” says Jen Dawson, co-ordinator at the ACT Office (Alternative Commuting & Transportation). “Our strong relationship with GO Transit has resulted in the addition of 52 daily trips serving the campus since the ACT Office was created in July 2002, with 35 daily trips being added since Sept 2004. These new improvements announced today mean that buses running between York and McMaster will be dropping off and picking up on campus every half hour.”

From September 2003 to September 2004, GO ridership at McMaster increased more than 300 per cent with 1,200 riders daily in September 2004 compared to 400 in fall 2003.

“These routes are in high demand,” said GO Transit chairman Peter Smith. “Service is being expanded to help accommodate rapid growth in these areas and make GO a better option for riders.”

Due to demand, McMasters ACT Office in co-operation with GO Transit, the Registrar's Office and the Graduate Registrar, offered on-the-spot processing of GO Transit ID cards for eligible McMaster students during Welcome Week. A record 1,800 students took advantage of the program, 600 more than last year. And the ACT Office plans to process more ID cards Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Currently McMaster students, staff, faculty and visitors can use GO Transit to travel from Toronto, Burlington, Missisauga and Oakville to campus. New for fall 2005, GO is offering all-day service to and from Burlington GO Station, designed to meet Lakeshore trains traveling to and from Union. Other GO service to campus includes an express bus from the Oakville GO Station on Sunday/holiday Monday evenings and Friday afternoon express busses that travel Highway 407 to Square One.

“By expanding bus service to and from these universities, we are making GO Transit a better choice for students, staff and faculties.” said transportation minister Harinder Takhar.