Barrie line sees biggest spike in GO train ridership in GTA: Metrolinx

About 1.1 million riders used the Barrie line between April and July 2019, up 10.6 per cent from the same period last year

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 11, 2019
Chris Simon

Have you noticed your daily train ride is a bit crowded these days?

GO Transit’s Barrie rail line experienced the largest jump in ridership growth within the Metrolinx train network between April and July 2019, when compared to the same period last year. A report posted to the Metrolinx website Sept. 9 notes ridership reached 1.1 million on the Barrie line during that time, up 10.6 per cent from the same period in 2018. On average, 8,900 riders used the line each day.

The Union Pearson Express (6.9 per cent) and Richmond Hill (6.5) lines experienced the second and third highest ridership spikes, respectively.

Metrolinx, GO’s parent agency, attributes the increase to several partnerships and special events. There was a 71 per cent jump in ridership for Honda Indy week this year, when compared to 2018 statistics. Boardings also increased around Pride celebrations.

Meanwhile, the June 17 Toronto Raptors championship parade led to a 33 per cent rise in users on GO and UP Express routes.

A plan to lower fares for shorter trips took effect on April 20.

“This quarter also saw particularly strong growth at those stations close to Union Station,” Metrolinx chief marketing officer Mark Childs said. “This growth could be attributed to the lower fare of customers going from these stations to Union and back.”

Aurora was the most popular stop along the Barrie line -- about 268,900 riders boarded between April and July. That was followed by Maple (about 232,200), Rutherford (167,900), King City (88,100), East Gwillimbury (78,300), Newmarket (61,400), Bradford (53,400), Barrie South (51,500), Downsview Park (46,900), Allandale (36,700) and York University (13,800).

Total ridership throughout the Metrolinx train system reached 26.4 million, a 4.1 per cent increase in year-over-year ridership. GO train boardings hit 21.1 million, up 4.8 per cent during that time frame.

However, the Barrie line falls in the middle of the pack in overall Metrolinx ridership. Lakeshore West ridership was 3.9 million from April to July. Lakeshore East (2.7 million), UP Express (1.5 million) and Milton (1.4 million) also had higher numbers.

Barrie and Kitchener tied at 1.1 million, while Stouffville (818,300) and Richmond Hill (526,100) had the lowest total ridership.

The report is available at metrolinx.com.