Hamilton disappointed with Liberal ‘ghost stations’, two-way-all-day GO service delayed even further: NDP

In question period on Tuesday, Hamilton Mountain NDP MPP Monique Taylor called on the Wynne government to stop its plan to let Hamilton’s new GO stations sit empty most of the day and finally make two-way-all-day GO a priority.

“For years, Hamiltonians have been promised frequent, all-day two-way GO rail service,” said Taylor.

“We’re still waiting — and now it looks like we are going to wait even longer. Despite spending $80 million on two new GO stations in Hamilton, it seems the government plans to leave these stations empty most of the time. Hamiltonians are calling them ‘ghost stations’.”

Currently only two trains each way serve the new Harbour West station and construction will soon be started on another station at Centennial Parkway on the same line. Metrolinx recently told Hamilton City Councillors there was no plan for additional service on this new line, letting down families and commuters.

“The purpose of spending $80 million on two new stations in Hamilton is not to provide photo-ops for Liberal politicians. The purpose is to provide the frequent GO rail service that Hamiltonians have been promised for years,” said Taylor.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath along with Taylor and Hamilton-Stoney Creek MPP Paul Miller have been pushing for greater local transit investment from the Liberal government for years. The Wynne Liberals have disappointed Hamilton transit users again and again by ignoring local transit needs as the community experiences rapid growth.

“Exactly when can Hamiltonians expect frequent, all-day two-way GO service through these new stations?" asked Taylor.