News Release: Province announces major parking expansion at Langstaff GO Station

For Immediate Release
August 21, 2002

Province announces major parking expansion at Langstaff GO Station

TORONTO — York Region GO users will benefit from the opening of 610 new parking spaces at Langstaff GO Station, Transportation Minister Norm Sterling announced today.

"Making transit more convenient for commuters is critical to attracting more riders," Sterling said. "This initiative is part of the Ernie Eves 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 1,021 vehicles — double the previous number. The Langstaff station is located on the Richmond Hill GO train line, which includes stops at Richmond Hill, Langstaff, Old Cummer, Oriole and Union Station. Average weekday ridership at the station is about 1,300.

GO Transit invested approximately $1.4 million in the parking lot expansion. The work was completed by Loc-Pave Construction Limited of Stouffville.

GO Transit Chairman, Dr. Gordon Chong, 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."

"Making transit more accessible to the people of York Region will help ease gridlock throughout the G.T.A.," said Thornhill MPP Tina Molinari. "This move makes transit an even more attractive option for commuters in the 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.