Reinstate 7:58 Clarkson GO Train

PETITION UPDATE - OCTOBER 24, 2011
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GO TRANSIT HAS RESPONDED TO THIS PETITION AND THE TEXT OF THEIR RESPONSE IS REPRODUCED BELOW. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE COMMENTS REGARDING THE RESPONSE, YOU CAN DIRECT EMAILS TO:

customerrelations@gotransit.com, Attention: Karyn Allicock

COMMENTS MAY ALSO BE POSTED FOR PUBLIC VIEWING ON THIS WEBSITE USING THE BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE LABELLED “CLICK HERE TO LIKE THIS PETITION OR ADD/VIEW COMMENTS”.

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October 24, 2011

To: Clarkson GO Customers

Subject: GO Transit Response to Online Petition

Dear Customers,

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the recent online petition asking to have the 7:58 a.m. train reinstated to start at Clarkson GO Station. We would like to explain why the decision was made to move the train’s starting point to Oakville and specifically address your concerns regarding safety, comfort and passenger convenience.

Our goal is for all of our customers to receive the same level of service across our system. We made this service change adjustment on September 3 to address the high passenger volumes at Oakville station (our second busiest, after Union Station) and help better balance passenger loads. We want to ensure that our customers are comfortable and we are continually striving to have seats available for every passenger on 80% of rush hour train trips.

In the last eight months we have been experiencing overcrowding on the 7:45 a.m. trip from Oakville. Currently, that trip carries an average of 2000 passengers, whereas the 7:58 a.m. trip from Clarkson carries an average of 1300 passengers. The seating capacity for each of these trips is 1600 passengers. By moving the Clarkson trip to originate at Oakville, we anticipated that adding an option for Oakville passengers at 7:50 a.m. would result in both trips carrying more balanced loads. This has proven to be the case, but has resulted in more customers on the Clarkson train.

We realize that the high number of passengers waiting on the platform is a concern to Clarkson GO Station customers and we apologize for this inconvenience. Currently, a section of one of the three platforms at Clarkson GO Station is temporarily closed due to construction. Once this platform construction is complete (end of November/early December), the 7:58 a.m. train will be re-routed to the south platform giving passengers more room and where passing trains are less frequent. Station attendants at all stations regularly make announcements for passengers not to block stairwells when they are aware that this is occurring.

Safety is a primary concern for us at GO Transit. Passing trains are a common occurrence on all platforms on the Lakeshore line. During the 15 minutes before the departure of the 7:58 a.m. train, two VIA trains and one GO Train pass through Clarkson. We have asked our Station Attendants to make platform announcements reminding passengers to stand well behind the yellow line. However, we must also ask our customers to always be cautious when they are waiting for any train across the GO system.

Finally, as a result of the comments in your petition, we have undertaken an audit of the on-time performance of this particular train trip since September 6.

On two occasions the train arrived at Clarkson late from Oakville. This was attributed to passenger loading at Oakville. While the dwell time at Oakville and Clarkson may have increased to accommodate the passenger loading, we can make up this additional time along the trip. Our audit shows that the 7:58 a.m. train arrived on time into Union 100% of the time. We make every effort to achieve on time performance.

Your feedback is valuable and we appreciate the time you have taken to bring your concerns to our attention. We thank you for your patience as we work towards improving the delivery of our overall service.

Sincerely,

Gary McNeil
President, GO Transit

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PETITION BACKGROUND

For many years, GO Transit operated one train that started from Clarkson GO Station and travelled directly to Union Station.

This train frequently arrived at Clarkson Station several minutes before its 7:58 am departure time, allowing passengers to wait in the train, rather than on the platform. As of September 3, 2011 GO Transit changed the service for this train so that it now starts from Oakville GO Station at 7:50 am, stops at Clarkson GO Station at 7:58 am, and then travels directly to Union Station. This change has negatively affected the passengers who embark at Clarkson Station in several ways:

SAFETY OF PASSENGERS: There are generally three high-speed trains that pass through the Clarkson GO Station (frequently without warning) between 7:50 am and 7:58 am, which could pose a hazard to passengers waiting on the platform for the 7:58 am train. Also, in inclement weather many passengers wait in the stairwell to the platform when the train has not yet arrived in the station, making it difficult for other passengers to safely navigate the stairs.

COMFORT: Due to the additional Oakville passengers, it is difficult to obtain a seat when boarding at Clarkson Station, and the aisles in the train are crowded. Also, when high-speed trains pass in inclement weather, passengers on the platform are subjected to the blowing rain and snow.

CONVENIENCE: The 7:58 train now frequently arrives 2-5 minutes late at Clarkson GO Station, which consequently delays arrival of the train at Union Station.