News Release: Province announces parking expansion at Meadowvale GO Station

For Immediate Release
July 16, 2002

Province announces parking expansion at Meadowvale GO Station

TORONTO — Transportation Minister Norm Sterling today announced the opening of 730 new parking spaces at the Meadowvale GO Station.

"Making transit more convenient for commuters is critical to attracting more riders to transit," Sterling said. "This initiative is part of our government's commitment to making transit a key component of a balanced and efficient transportation system that generates economic growth and prosperity in Ontario."

With the new spaces, the parking lot can now accommodate 1,563 vehicles. The Meadowvale Station is located in Mississauga on the Milton GO train line which includes stops at Milton, Meadowvale, Streetsville, Erindale, Cooksville, Dixie and Kipling. Average weekday ridership at the station is approximately 2,900.

"This is good news for commuters in the area," Mississauga West MPP John Snobelen said. "Transit is key to unlocking gridlock in the Golden Horseshoe."

GO Transit invested approximately $1.45 million in the parking lot expansion, which will also include a new bus loop and Kiss & Ride area scheduled to open by September 30, 2002. The work is being completed by Warren Bitulithic Ltd. of Toronto.

Dr. Gordon Chong, GO Transit Chairman, said the need for improvements to GO service grows every day. "We must do what we can to keep up, and the financial support we receive from the Province of Ontario is vital," he said. "GO is the key transportation solution in the Greater Toronto Area."

This initiative is part of GO Transit's 10-year Capital Plan to meet demand and expand services. The plan includes building new stations, improving Union Station, expanding parking lots and adding service on existing routes.

GO Transit is Ontario's only inter-regional public transit system and carries more than 43 million passengers a year, linking Toronto with the surrounding regions of the Golden Horseshoe area. The Ontario Government resumed control of GO Transit on January 1, 2002, as part of a 10-year, $3.25 billion transit plan announced in September 2001.