Durham Region GO Transit riders should check their schedules before travelling this weekend as construction across the regional rail network brings timetable changes and major disruptions to several connecting lines.
The Durham GO service changes will affect Lakeshore East trains on Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26. Metrolinx says trains will depart Durham College Oshawa GO two minutes earlier than their regularly scheduled times.
Passengers boarding later in the route at Whitby, Ajax or Pickering should also confirm their departure times through the GO Transit trip planner before leaving for the station.
Lakeshore East train service is not being cancelled in Durham. The most significant weekend cancellations affect other parts of the GO network, but those disruptions may still matter to Durham residents connecting through Union Station or travelling to Pearson Airport.
Durham GO Service Changes Affect Weekend Departures
The two-minute departure adjustment applies to Lakeshore East service on both Saturday and Sunday.
Riders beginning their trip at Durham College Oshawa GO should arrive earlier than usual and allow enough time to park, reach the platform and board.
Passengers travelling from Whitby, Ajax and Pickering should not rely only on their usual weekend routine. Even a small timetable change can affect transfers at Union Station, particularly when other GO lines are operating less frequently.
Metrolinx recommends checking schedules regularly because construction plans can be adjusted, rescheduled or extended because of weather or unforeseen circumstances.
Lakeshore West Trains Run Every 30 Minutes
Construction at Exhibition GO Station for the future Ontario Line will reduce Lakeshore West service to every 30 minutes on July 25 and 26.
This may affect Durham passengers continuing west of Union Station toward Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton or Niagara.
The 10:10 p.m. train leaving Niagara Falls on Saturday will also bypass Exhibition GO. Riders transferring between Lakeshore East and Lakeshore West should review their full journey rather than checking only the Durham portion.
Barrie and Kitchener Lines Face Cancellations
There will be no Barrie line train service between Allandale Waterfront GO and Union Station during the weekend construction period. Replacement buses will serve most stations, although Downsview Park and Union will not receive GO replacement service.
The Kitchener line will also experience major changes. Train service will not operate between Stratford or Kitchener and Mount Pleasant, while hourly trains will run between Mount Pleasant and Mount Dennis.
There will be no Kitchener line GO service between Mount Dennis and Union Station. Passengers will need to use alternate transit connections.
These changes may affect Durham residents travelling to communities along those corridors after transferring at Union.
UP Express Replaced by Buses
UP Express rail service will be modified throughout the weekend.
Replacement buses will operate between Union Station Bus Terminal and Pearson Airport Terminal 1 on Saturday.
On Sunday morning and early afternoon, buses will operate between Highway 407 Terminal and Pearson because of the Gardiner Expressway closure connected with the Toronto Triathlon. Riders travelling from Durham to Pearson should leave additional time and check the latest route information.
No UP Express service will be available at Bloor, Mount Dennis or Weston during the disruption.
Check the Full Trip Before Leaving
GO Transit says the multi-corridor changes are connected mainly to planned construction intended to support future service expansion.
Durham riders should use the official trip planner, review station alerts and consider signing up for On the GO notifications.
The Durham GO service changes are relatively minor compared with the cancellations elsewhere, but connecting passengers could experience longer waits, replacement buses or alternate routes.
Regular schedules should be checked again before Monday travel because some services may resume with additional timetable adjustments.
