About me

Hey, my name is Anthony Abdel-Kodous. I am currently in the two year Marketing program at Sheridan College and this blog project is about Go Transit for my business communication class.

What is GO Transit?

GO Transit is a regional public transit service for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, with routes extending to several communities across the GTA. They carry over 65 million passengers a year according to stats shown on their website.

Since May 1967, GO Transit has evolved from a single GO Train line along Lake Ontario’s shoreline into an array of train lines and bus routes. Since service began, more than a billion riders have taken the GO Train or Bus – to work, school or any other destinations. GO provides its passengers with safe, fast, reliable, comfortable service to many destinations across the GTA.

GO Transit History

GO Transit was created and funded by the government in 1967 as Government of Ontario Transit (hence the acronym 'GO') and was financed entirely by the Province of Ontario until the end of 1997. The province cut any operating costs that were not recovered through revenue, and all capital costs. Responsibility for the system was then transferred to the Toronto Area Transportation Operating Authority (TATOA) and later to the Greater Toronto Services Board as part of the province's 'downloading' initiative, before finally returning to the province as a Crown Agency under Greater Toronto Transit Authority (GTTA).

GO began by running single-deck buses on one route and a single rail line along Lake Ontario's shoreline. All day GO Train service ran from Oakville to Pickering with limited rush hour train service to Hamilton. Since then GO has become one of the leading transportation services in the Greater Toronto Area.

Pros and Cons of Go Transit

In my opinion, here are some pros and cons of taking GO Transit:

Pros:

•  A lot more comfortable than public transit.

• Quicker routes to and from your destination

• Easy to find and locate routes and schedules through phone apps and automated voice systems

• Much easier to move around with a Presto Card or monthly pass

• Always on time and very reliable

• Much more environmentally friendly than driving

• Very quick method of transportation through express routes or GO trains

• Ample parking provided at all GO Stations  across the GTA

Cons:

• More expensive than public transit

• More crowded than public transit depending on your destination

• Longer wait times depending on how many people are using the route

Fares

In my opinion, the fares GO transit charges are reasonable considering their broad and very efficient service. Here is a small summary of how “GO Fares” work.

Fares for GO Transit are based on what group of people are using the service or how close or far your destination is. Different price categories exist for adults, students, seniors, children, and larger groups. Tickets are also sold for single trip, or passes for days or months. Tickets can be used on a GO train, bus, or both. They can be purchased at any train stations, bus terminals, ticket agencies, on GO buses and even select convenience stores and gas stations.

The Presto Card system is a card system available on all GO trains and buses for more convenient service for riders. It is a card-based payment system used throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Presto offers riders discounted fares and incentives the more you ride or 'tap on'.

The Presto system allows passengers to load a re-loadable card with any amount starting at $10, up to $1,000. Passengers pay their fare by "tapping" on and off on buses and trains. With each tap, the system calculates the fare for the ride, and it is deducted from the balance of the card.