Story submitted by Brad Ward
The local NDP plan calls for an expansion of Go Rail to Brantford, linking Brantford to Aldershot as part of the Go Rail system, establishing a regular Go Bus service that links Brantford to Kitchener/Waterloo and Cambridge, expand the current Go Bus service between Six Nations and Hamilton to include Brantford and implement regular transit service between Brantford and Paris.
The plan to extend Go Rail service to Brantford calls for the Federal Liberal and Provincial Conservative Governments to work together to bring this much needed rail expansion to Brantford. The first step is for the two levels of government to adopt the recommendations of the Southwestern Ontario For High Performance Rail Advocacy Group. This group calls for the following:
- -improving existing rail infrastructure, stations and signals
- -adding additional track capacity, including longer sidings and additional main line to allow freight trains to pull over along the corridor, enabling passenger trains to maintain speed and pass freight trains where possible; and
- -introducing a mechanism for more equitable allocation of track capacity between passenger and freight rail through legislation
The funding for the track improvements can be provided through the respective governments’ 2027/2028 capital budgets. The local NDP is recommending that this work start with the Brantford to Aldershot leg, which would allow Go Rail to expand to Brantford sooner rather than later.
While the plans are being developed and the tracks upgraded, the Provincial Conservative Government needs to add an express Go Bus service to Brantford that will accommodate the many commuters and students who need to arrive at Aldershot in a timely fashion without the multiple stops like the regular Go Bus service. The express Go Bus would operate during the peak commuter morning and evening periods.This express Go Bus service would enhance the already established Go Bus route from Brantford to Hamilton.
“The extension of Go Rail service to Brantford is a crucial part of our transportation needs. As our population grows and economic opportunities expand, we must invest in efficient, sustainable transportation options that accommodate growth, alleviate congestion and are a benefit to the environment by reducing emissions,” said Brantford City Councillor Brian Van Tilborg. “The people of Brantford have waited a long time for this expansion while the Provincial Conservative Government has expanded Go Rail service elsewhere. It is finally our turn.”
The local NDP Riding Associations are calling for the Provincial Conservative Government to establish Go Bus service that provides a transportation link from Brantford to Cambridge and Kitchener-Waterloo. Currently, if a person in Brantford needs to use public transportation to get to Kitchener-Waterloo, it takes more than three hours since that person has to first take a bus to Hamilton with multiple stops along the way before arriving in Cambridge. You then need to use the transit system before you can finally arrive in Kitchener/Waterloo This link would start in Brantford, proceed to Cambridge, make stops in Kitchener and Wilfrid Laurier University before heading back to Brantford. This route will benefit workers and students by greatly reducing the amount of time it takes to get to these communities and may increase student enrollment at the Wilfred Laurier Brantford campus by allowing students who rely on public transportation to take courses at both the Brantford and Waterloo campuses.
“I am a Wilfred Laurier student who lives in Brantford and relies on public transportation to get around. If I need to get to the Waterloo campus, it takes more than three hours before I can get to there” said Neo Moore, a student attending Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus. “How is it possible that it is easier and quicker for me to get to Toronto using public transportation than to Cambridge-Kitchener-Waterloo which is a lot closer? This just doesn’t make any sense.”
The local NDP Riding Associations are calling for the Provincial Conservative Government to expand the existing Go Bus service that connects Six Nations to Hamilton to include Brantford. This expansion would allow the residents of Six Nations to attend appointments, shop or meet family and friends in Brantford without the need of a car.
“Six Nations is in such close proximity to Brantford, I find it hard to believe we already do not have Go Bus service linking our two communities” said Brad Ward, President of the Brantford-Brant-Six Nations NDP Federal/provincial Riding Associations. “This oversight can easily be corrected by having the Provincial Conservative Government adding Brantford to the Six Nations, Hamilton route.”
The local NDP Riding Associations are calling for the Provincial Conservative Government to fully fund regular bus service from Brantford to Paris, linking the two communities to their respective transit systems. This funding should stay in place for five years at which time a cost sharing agreement can be reached between the province, Brantford and Brant County.
“Reliable and regular transportation through a fixed route service connecting the Town of Paris & City of Brantford would be a game changer for students, seniors, and the working class. One of the most frequent requests I have heard over my four years representing the Town of Paris as Ward Two Councillor has been a regular bus route servicing our community for getting to school, doctor’s appointments, or simply to get to work without needing to drive there yourself” said Brant County Councillor Lukas Oakley. “Urban sprawl is partially a product of over reliance on personal vehicles, as is evident by the County’s recent increase in minimum parking standards. This will result in more farmland, forests, and nature being paved over; and the solution is as easy as reliable transit options.”
The local NDP Riding Associations are calling for an “all hands on deck’ approach to these initiatives. They are hoping the entire community in Brantford, Brant County and Six Nations can come together regardless of political differences and work towards achieving these goals. Our community will truly be better for it.
“We have been waiting 35 years for Go Rail service to be expanded to Brantford while the Go Bus expansion to Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and transit link between Brantford and Paris only makes sense” said Ward. “If we work together as a community, I am positive that we can be successful in convincing the Federal and Provincial Governments to provide the necessary funds to complete the projects .The hard working people of Brantford, Brant County and Six Nations deserve nothing less than our best effort to make sure that happens. Now, let’s get to work and make our community a better place to work, live and raise a family.”
