GO Transit’s plan to expand service on the Kitchener Line seems to be backfiring.
Since increasing service to Kitchener on Monday, thousands of commuters at Toronto’s Union Station have been severely inconvenienced. Some have even fainted from overcrowding at the station.
READ: Getting From Toronto To Niagara Falls Will Be Much Easier In 2019
The problem is the result of a 4:50 p.m. express train being cancelled to accommodate another train that stops at more stations. Of course, 4:50 p.m. is primetime when it comes to the end of day commute. So the loss of an express train puts extra pressure on the on the rides before and after that time slot.
READ: Toronto Has 6th Worst Commute In The World: Here Are The 10 Best And Worst Cities Ranked
Changes like these often require an adjustment period, but it seems no one expected the situation to get this bad this fast.
Angry commuters have taken to social media posting pictures and videos of the complete chaos at Union Station. Needless to say, it isn’t pretty.
READ: Living In The Suburbs Isn’t Worth It When You Factor In Commuting Costs
Here’s another angle pic.twitter.com/FsIMu8X0p6
— Haider Inayat (@HaiderInayat) January 9, 2019
This is what happens when you change a perfectly fine GO train schedule to one that makes your head scratch. ? Who’s ever idea this was should be fired. Seriously. #gotransit #kitchenerLine #bramalea pic.twitter.com/vEIiDWU0VG
— Seema (@seema_s) January 7, 2019
5 minutes before departure. People are pushing and shoving and getting crushed trying to get on this train before the doors closed. Why doesn’t the head of Metrolinx and GO come down and see this is DANGEROUS. Bring back the 450 express train to ease the burden for YOUR CLIENTS!
— jezleo (@jezleo) January 9, 2019
Even for me to commute to Kitchener, it takes way longer than before. Adding the train at 5:40 and 3:35 do not bring any benefits. Who will be off work at 3:00 to take the 3:35 train. I would suggest bring that 3:35 back to 4:50 and recover as an express train.
— Wisdom.H.Jiang (@WisdomHJiang) January 10, 2019
Ontario’s Mister of Transportation, Jeff Yurek issued a statement on Wednesday addressing concerns about overcrowding on the Kitchener Line. Yurek said he takes the concerns very seriously and has directed Metrolinx to resolve the issue “in the coming weeks.”
Since the statement was issued, safety officers have been sent to affected stations to monitor the situation.
