New Schedule will make it Easier for Visitors to Experience the Best Ontario has to Offer
NIAGARA FALLS — The Ontario government is resuming weekend GO train service to the Niagara region beginning on August 1. New schedules with four trips to and from Niagara Falls and St. Catharines each Saturday, Sunday and holiday will provide more service than ever before and enable convenient day or overnight trips, either in Niagara or Toronto.
Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, and Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, made the announcement today on behalf of Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation.
“This has been a very challenging time for the tourism sector, but today marks another step in Niagara Region’s recovery,” said Minister MacLeod. “I am thrilled that weekend GO service is able to resume to Niagara. It will make it easier for people to safely visit one of the most attractive destinations in Ontario. With the world-famous falls, parks, wineries and unique local business and attractions, the Niagara Region truly demonstrates how Ontario offers the world in one province.”
GO Transit’s partnership with Niagara Parks Commission connects WEGO bus service with the GO trains in Niagara Falls, seamlessly bringing travellers to their final Niagara Falls destinations with no taxis or parking needed.
Niagara Falls’ accommodations, attractions, restaurants, retail stores and experiences are implementing stringent measures designed to ensure cleanliness, physical distancing and reduced contact. Visitors to the region are encouraged to check the local restrictions for Niagara at niagarafallstourism.com and safetoplay.ca.
“By increasing service to the Niagara Region, GO is once again connecting people with some of the finest parks, attractions and destinations in Ontario,” said Minister Mulroney. “As most of the province enters Stage 3 of our reopening, it’s a great time for people to safely and responsibly experience the region.”
The government is encouraging people to travel regionally in order to rediscover the best Ontario has to offer while contributing to the province’s social and economic recovery.
“The expansion of GO service to and from Niagara comes just in time for the August long weekend,” said MPP Oosterhoff. “With trips scheduled every four hours, it offers consistent and flexible options for your trip with no traffic delays, so Niagara residents can now visit family and friends in Toronto on the weekend or safely visit other destinations.”
The Ontario government will continue to work with the tourism and hospitality sectors to ensure that as the province gradually reopens, Ontario will be in the best position to welcome the world back to the province.
Quick Facts
- Tourism is a key economic driver in Ontario, supporting more than 400,000 jobs and generating over $36 billion in spending. Niagara’s $2.4-billion tourism industry contributes over 40,000 jobs to the region and attracts more than 13 million tourists every year.
- A GO/WEGO round-trip ticket for one adult will cost $30, and a family pass (for two adults and three children) will cost $65. Kids always ride free on GO. The promotional e-ticket is sold through the Niagara Parks Commission website, allowing customers to pre-plan and buy tickets safely online before the journey.
- Each Niagara weekend train trip is equipped with special bike coaches, so passengers can easily bring along their bicycles and ride in comfort.
- A mask or cloth face covering is now required on GO Transit.
- The government recently announced $1 million in tourism support for Niagara Region through a new $13-million funding partnership between Destination Ontario and Destination Canada to deliver locally driven marketing programs to bolster the local tourism economy.
Additional Resources
- GO Transit trip planner
- Niagara Parks
- Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19
Quotes
“We celebrated the day GO first rolled into Niagara Falls and today with similar optimism, we welcome the return of weekend GO service to Niagara Falls! As people move around more and more during this Stage, the GO Train will offer another opportunity to travel and enjoy the wonders close to home.”
Jim Diodati
“We’re excited to bring back weekend GO train service to Niagara. With an improved schedule, customers will have more flexibility to explore the beauty of Niagara. This is the perfect time to be a tourist in our own region.”
Phil Verster
“Our relationship with GO Transit is a very important one for Niagara Parks, providing a convenient and affordable connection to our WEGO Green Line and to our attractions and experiences along the Niagara Parkway. We are excited to continue this partnership and welcome guests from across Southern Ontario to explore all that we have to offer at Niagara Parks this summer.”
Sandie Bellows
“We are pleased to see the return of seasonal weekend GO Train service into Niagara as we continue to take steps to recover from the effects of COVID-19. Niagara’s tourism sector employs over 40,000 individuals in hundreds of businesses that rely on visitors from the GTA, and this announcement is a positive step in the right direction. I am confident that those coming to Niagara will take all necessary precautions to slow the spread of the virus, including adhering to the recently passed mandatory mask by-law, as they enjoy all the best that Niagara has to offer.”
Jim Bradley
SOURCE: Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries
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