Stratford is preparing for the return of GO Train service and city leaders say the move could provide a major boost to tourism in the Festival City.
The provincial government announced Friday that daily, round-trip GO Train service between Stratford and Toronto will begin in July, marking what they say will be a permanent return.
Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma celebrated the announcement with a playful moment at the podium, briefly playing “I’m So Excited” by The Pointer Sisters before asking for help to turn it off.
The song, he said, reflected exactly how he was feeling.
“Last night I didn’t sleep a whole lot, hoping that what I wanted would arrive this morning,” Ritsma said.
What he wanted, he added, was the return of GO trains to Stratford — something the city has been waiting for. A two-year pilot project that connected London to Toronto with a stop in Stratford ended in 2023, leaving many commuters, students and tourism operators hoping for a permanent return.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria confirmed the service will return this summer.
“Today we’re delivering on that great news for this city,” Sarkaria said. “Starting July 6th, our government is extending GO Train service to Stratford.”
Ritsma said the renewed service will make it easier for visitors to reach Stratford, which sees roughly 1.7 million tourists each year.
“Think about our tourists, our 1.7 million tourists, that love coming to Stratford and frequently love to come by train,” he said.
Sarkaria added the service will help visitors access key attractions.
“It will make it easier for Ontarians and visitors to come to Stratford to take in a show at the Stratford Festival, stroll through Shakespeare’s Gardens,” he said.
The announcement comes as GO Transit also expands service elsewhere along the Kitchener line, including two additional weekday express trains between Kitchener and Union Station starting later this month and more frequent weekend service.
Metrolinx President and CEO Michael Lindsay said the Stratford train is expected to depart at 6:16 a.m., arriving at Toronto’s Union Station before 9 a.m. The return trip is projected to leave around 5 p.m., arriving back in Stratford around 7:30 p.m.
Weekend trips are expected to run on a slightly later schedule.
Metrolinx projects more than 16,000 riders annually at the Stratford station. Those numbers, officials say, support making the service permanent.
“We’re bringing the GO Train service back to Stratford and it’s permanent, everyone. Permanent,” said Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae.
Metrolinx says schedules may be adjusted over time based on ridership and feedback once service begins.
