Metrolinx and Newmarket's mayor spoke to a fresh round of community meetings regarding GO Station improvement ongoing on the Barrie Line.
The transit organization floated the concept at regional council April 7, along with possible savings on whistle cessation projects as part of improvements. Metrolinx also discussed additions such as new digital signage and full-day, 15-minute service across the network, including in Aurora around 2025.
Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said the community wants to understand and have more input on what improvements happen locally.
“The community really wants to know as much as possible about all these key issues. Is there going to be grade separation?” he said. “What is the timing of the incremental improvements, and what is the timing of the full, 15-minute service looking like, and what are the options for whistle cessation."
The presentation highlighted ongoing track improvements throughout the line, including twinned tracks at Aurora GO and platform improvements like digital signage at the Newmarket GO Station. It made no mention of the Mulock GO station — an idea awaiting more private investment and area development.
Regional Express Rail head Spencer Gibbins said they are not likely to say no to a transit station proposal, based on the business case.
“The only reason we would probably ever say no is if the business case was negative,” Gibbins said.
Taylor said he would like to see a local community meeting for the new year or sooner, as well as a regular working group to provide input.
Whistle cessation was raised, something explored by Newmarket several years ago but dropped. Markham eventually implemented completed cessation in 2021 for approximately $6 million, a cost shared with York Region.
Taylor asked about safety measures introduced at train stations and how they might impact the implications for liability or cost for municipalities making decisions on the stopping train whistles, which requires upgraded safety features at crossings.
Community engagement 905 communications vice-president Rajesh Khetarpa said Metrolinx will have more details in the coming months, but it’s a case-by-case basis.
“We don't want to stall the conversation while we’re figuring things out about what a hybrid approach might look like,” Khetarpa said. “But if we’re going into a level crossing and we’re already doing work and the municipality has an interest in levels of cessation, and we can use some of our contractors at the same time, and it saves some time and it saves some money, we’re happy to have those conversations."
He added Metrolinx is piloting regional roundtables, that they expect to have in York Region in the months ahead, though no specific dates were yet provided.
