GO Transit bus services are provided throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area and the Greater Golden Horseshoe.[1] In 2023, the system had a ridership of 15,229,800.
While GO Transit started as a single train line in 1967, 15 buses were introduced on September 8, 1970, extending service beyond the original Lakeshore line to Hamilton and Oshawa, as well as providing service north to Newmarket and Barrie. In 1989, GO started running buses between outer train stations and Union at off-peak times when trains were not scheduled. The bus network started expanding beyond train lines, feeding rail service and serving communities beyond the reach of existing trains. In 2000, GO Transit went beyond its existing train corridors and began service along Highway 407, linking York University to Oshawa, Mississauga and Oakville.[2][3]
The GO Transit bus fleet consists of 366 single-level coach buses and 375 double-decker buses. Two of the coach buses are diesel-electric hybrid vehicles. GO Transit began acquiring double-decker buses in 2007 to relieve crowding on some routes. The first generation stood at a height of 4.3 metres, and second and third generations were built and acquired at even lower heights – in 2013 and 2016 at 4.15 and 3.9 metres, respectively – that allowed them to pass under lower bridges and trees and be used on additional routes. All of the buses are equipped with bike racks.[1][3][4][5][6]
GO buses serve 15 bus terminals, as well as several local stops which include carpool/park and ride lots established by the Ministry of Transportation along Ontario highways. On average, 2,458 weekday and 1,218 weekend bus trips are made, with 70% of all bus travellers going to or from Toronto. All GO Transit fares are calculated by the fare zones that the origin and destination of the trip are in, as well as by passenger category (adult, student, senior or child). GO bus fares are not differentiated based whether or not trains are used for part of the trip.[4][7]
- ^ a b "GO Transit: Bus Fact Sheet" (PDF). GO Transit. January 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 12, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
- ^ Drost, Peter; Kerim, Jordan; Bow, James (June 25, 2015). "The GO-ALRT Program". Retrieved March 10, 2017.
- ^ a b "GO keeps Growing – we now have 500 buses on the road to serve you better". GO Transit. Archived from the original on January 8, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
- ^ a b "GO Transit: Fact Sheet" (PDF). GO Transit. January 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 12, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
- ^ "New Lower Double-Decker Buses Are Now In Service". GO Transit. Archived from the original on January 8, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
- ^ "Ontario Unveils New Accessible Double-Decker GO Buses" (Press release). Government of Ontario. July 15, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
- ^ "Fare Information". GO Transit. Archived from the original on June 21, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2017.