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Grimsby’s Casablanca GO station still a go

You may not be able to tell from looking at the stagnant site and solitary sign at Casablanca Boulevard and South Service Road, but the commitment to bring a GO station to Grimsby remains strong.

“We are all very keen and committed to getting service introduced here,” said Matt Robinson, the director of Niagara Region’s GO Implementation Office.

It’s been just over one year since a weekday train was introduced in St. Catharines and Niagara Falls and Robinson said Metrolinx, the province, the region and the town are all still on board with including Grimsby in the Niagara GO expansion.

Since Metrolinx announced a change in the delivery process of new GO stations in late 2018, whereby it provides on-corridor services (rail) but requires third-party investment for off-corridor facilities (stations, bus loops, parking, etc.), Robinson said they have been working together to solicit third-party investment options.

“There are viable alternatives that are being explored right now.”

Whether funding comes from private- or public-sector partners, or a cocktail of both, he said they are actively discussing to whose interest it would be to invest.

Robinson said the conditions are right and there is a clear path forward to bring investors to Grimsby’s station as quickly as possible.

As for Beamsville GO service, he said they’ve always advocated for four station stops, including the future expansion of an Ontario Street station. What needs to be completed next is a business case.

Asked whether recent developments with Hamilton’s light rail transit project caused any concerns that the province may pull out of the Niagara GO expansion, Robinson responded in the negative.

“There’s been no indication anything’s changed.”

The previous budget commitment was reaffirmed by the current provincial government, he said. The support is locked in and Niagara has been working very specifically within the specified budget for this expansion.

The expansion will provide increased weekday service to Niagara’s stations, he said, with five inbound trains and six outbound trains ultimately set to run between Niagara Falls and Union Station.

When can Niagarans expect this increased service? Well, that’s the million-dollar question.

It’s not as easy as a simple increased schedule, said Robinson. Unlike other areas in the GO network – where GO Transit and Metrolinx actually own the corridor, allowing them to easily ramp up to 15-minute service – the Hamilton to Niagara Falls corridor is owned by CN, adding a unique level of complexity to the process.

Robinson said he’s met with the Metrolinx CEO and they are well aware that the region fully supports their 11-train per day expansion and whatever it’s going to take to bring increased service to Niagara.

“We’re keen to have that as soon as possible.”

Source: Hamilton Spectator News

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