GTA Weekly’s Next Stop editorial series shifts its spotlight to GO Transit this July, exploring the major rail expansion projects reshaping how our region moves. This week we focus on Hamilton, where a once-symbolic waterfront station is now fully integrated into the GO network—bringing daily convenience to commuters and fuelling the city’s next chapter of growth.
All Aboard: West Harbour GO Station Fully Complete
After nearly a decade of incremental upgrades, West Harbour GO Station is now fully operational with all-day, two-way hourly service between Hamilton and Toronto’s Union Station. What began in 2015 as a symbol of future connectivity has now become a functional commuter hub and a catalyst for the revitalization of Hamilton’s waterfront.
Located in the city’s historic North End, the station is no longer just a promise—it’s a working part of Metrolinx’s GO Expansion vision.
From Infrequent Service to Daily Convenience
The station initially opened with limited service—two trains per day—but lacked full commuter capacity. With the latest upgrade complete, passengers now benefit from:
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Hourly, seven-day-a-week GO Train service to Union Station
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Improved pedestrian and cycling access
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New amenities and passenger infrastructure
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Full integration into PRESTO and the GO fare network
This leap in service quality not only improves transit options for Hamilton residents but also positions the West Harbour area as a prime location for transit-oriented development.
Part of a Bigger Picture: Hamilton’s Transit Moment
The West Harbour upgrade arrives at a pivotal time. Construction is underway on the Hamilton LRT, and the Confederation GO Station is expected to open later in 2025. Together, these investments are reshaping Hamilton into a true multi-modal transportation hub within the broader GTHA network.
Supporting the Greater Golden Horseshoe Plan
West Harbour GO is one piece of a much larger strategy. Under Ontario’s Transportation Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the province is investing nearly $70 billion in transit over the next decade. That includes:
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Two-way, all-day, 15-minute service on key GO lines
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New stations and track upgrades across the region
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Expanded integration between GO Transit, TTC, LRTs, and local systems
West Harbour’s enhanced connectivity is a win for Hamilton—but also for the entire regional economy and the thousands of commuters who rely on GO every day.
What’s Next?
As GO Expansion progresses, more communities will see transit transformed from occasional convenience to daily necessity. Hamilton’s West Harbour GO Station is no longer a future promise—it’s a real, working example of what transit equity and investment can deliver.
🛤️ Next Stop is GTA Weekly’s weekly Sunday spotlight on the future of transit in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. From subways to LRTs to GO expansions, we dig into the projects shaping how we move.
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