GO Transit says construction prompting reduction in train service to Hamilton starting Tuesday

As scores of employees return to the office after more than two years working from home, Hamilton commuters can expect service adjustments for Lakeshore West as well as a five-cents increase in Presto card payments for adults using the HSR bus service.

GO Transit says it's embarking on the next phase of construction for the future Hurontario LRT in Peel Region, requiring some weekday service adjustments on the Lakeshore West Line. 

That means a reduction in train service to the Hamilton area. 

"Starting Sept. 6, weekday evening trains will run hourly, and some scheduled trips will be adjusted," the company said in a news release.

Westbound changes:

• Trains will operate hourly from Tuesday instead of the current 30-minute schedule. The 7:45 p.m., 8:45 p.m., and 9:45 p.m. trains departing Union Station will no longer go to to West Harbour GO in Hamilton. Service will end at Aldershot GO in Burlington, with GO bus connections to Hamilton.

Eastbound changes:

• The 9:13 p.m., 10:13 p.m. and 11:13 p.m. trains will begin at Aldershot GO, instead of West Harbour, and run hourly, departing 15 minutes earlier than regularly scheduled. GO bus Route 18 will provide service between West Harbour GO and Aldershot GO.

Some trips on GO bus Route 12, 15 and 18 will depart up to 15 minutes earlier to align with adjusted train trips, the company said.

Changes to trains to/from Niagara Falls

There are changes to trains heading to and coming from Niagara Falls on Saturday, Sept. 10 and Sunday, Sept. 11, GO Transit says.

Trains will depart Union Station nine minutes later than usual and will have 10 minutes of additional travel time.

Trains departing Niagara Falls will run 57 minutes later than usual and have 10 minutes of additional travel time.

The company says "maintenance work, scheduled during this time, will ensure reliable train service in the future."

New all-day Saturday service on Route 20, HSR says

Meanwhile, HSR says it's adding new all-day Saturday service on Route 20 between Pier 8 and the Hamilton airport, in response to customer "demand."

The service will operate from 5:25 a.m. until 12:14 a.m. 

"We're also increasing weekday frequency during peak periods to 10-minutes. Customers can travel later on weekdays too, with extended late evening service until 12:44 a.m. running every 30 minutes," HSR said. 

Effective Thursday, Presto card payments for adults will rise from $2.55 to $2.60 and seniors will pay $2.15, up from $2.10.

A cash fare will remain at $3.25.