GO Transit

[Canard]

Kawasaki E231-500's!!  Can't wait!  My head is going to explode in a month when I'm there.

I think the new Cab cars look more like the NS VIRM's:

[nms]

I expect that we'll see new announcements about GO bus and rail service once the new layover facility on Shirley Ave is completed.

[KevinL]

I think the new Cab cars look more like the NS VIRM's:

Ooh, I have a weak spot for Dutch trains...

[Canard]

I have a rather embarrassing question to ask... for a guy who likes trains so much, I don't often ride them in Ontario. It's been a while since I last took the GO train out of Kitchener, and I can't remember - is the station staffed that early in the morning? What is the procedure for buying a ticket - can it be done online ahead of time? I seem to recall the last time I was there seeing a long line of folks still waiting to get their ticket, as the train rolled up. Anxiety galore! I don't have a PRESTO card.

Thanks in advance.

[timio]

I believe there is a kiosk on the platform.

[taylortbb]

I don't believe you can buy online, but there should be an automated ticket vending machine on the platform.

You can order a Presto card online and have them mail it to you, doesn't cost anything extra compared to buying in person. With a Presto card you get a ~7.5% discount on everything GO transit.

[Canard]

Can you get the Presto card from the machine on the platform? (I don't have enough time before my trip to have it mailed)

[jamincan]

The Kitchener GO Station does have a automated ticket vending machine that accepts debit/credit cards. Alternately, you can buy tickets at the window from 5:15-9:15 M-F or 8:00-1:00/3:30-7:40 Sa-Su. Alternately, PRESTO cards can be purchased at all GO Stations, cost $6, and require $10 to be loaded on initially.

[Canard]

Thanks - this is really helpful!

I'm going to take GO/UPX to the airport - $20.50 instead of almost $200 to park at Pearson (for the duration of my trip) or whatever it is that Waterloo Taxi charges. It's not immediately obvious what I have to do to transfer at Weston but I understand there may be 2 different kinds of Presto reader there, and I'll have to tap-off of GO, and tap-on to UPX.

[tomh009]

That's a good way to get to Pearson -- if we only had all-day service (and weekend service), the current weekday service doesn't work for most of the flights I take. Maybe some day ...

[Canard]

Yeah, I just happen to have a flight that's "close enough" to make it work out. I'll be marooned at the airport for a couple more hours than I'd like, but it'll be ok.

I checked out the platform this morning and yeah, the automated vending machine is going to be the easiest, for sure.

[KevinL]

You can also buy a Presto card at the Charles bus terminal; they have better hours than the train station, I believe.

[jamincan]

If you have a couple hours to spare, go all the way to Union and check out everything that's happening there! I think you can even check in at the UPX station at Union, afaik. (actually, a brief search didn't turn up anything, so maybe not?)

[rangersfan]

Expanded GO bus service to Cambridge (i"ll admit I didn't even know that the GO bus had a route to Cambridge) .

http://m.therecord.com/news-story/652064...-september

[Markster]

The 25 stops at SmartCentres on Hespeler road, which counts!