GO trains may be going electric
Posted January 19, 2011 6:13 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – Money, not the environment, is behind a switch in thinking at Metrolinx.
The agency is considering using electric trains on GO Transit’s Lakeshore and Georgetown lines because it is cheaper than diesel.
The staff report said not only is the electric locomotive cheaper than diesel, it can also move faster.
“The most significant benefit to our customers is going to be able to take less time to get from their home to their place of work,” said Metrolinx CEO Bruce McCuaig.
“There would be on average, between 2.4 to 2.8 minutes saved on each trip,” he added, saying that on longer rides, passengers could save up to ten minutes per trip. However, passengers cannot count on their commute being shortened immediately.
The Pearson rail link, which is already moving forward, would start out with diesel trains and eventually switch over to electric.
Rick Ciccarelli with the Clean Train Coalition told 680News his group deserves the credit for changing Metrolinx’ ideas.
“They were not at all interested in talking to us about electrification when they were doing the environmental assessment for the Georgetown south,” he said.
However, he found the plan to initially use diesel trains puzzling.
“Within three years of having new trains on the line? What’s that about? Why aren’t we building electric right from the beginning?” he asked. “Our concern is that they’re wasting money on diesel trains that they’re planning on replacing.”
The Clean Train Coalition has also argued that diesel spews more toxins in the air, while Metrolinx said there is only a marginal difference in greenhouse gas emissions.
The projected cost of going electric is between $1.6 billion and $1.8 billion, but the report said it would also save the agency up to $18 million a year in operating costs.
Board and provincial approval would still be required. Once it is approved, it could take up to 25 years to make the switch.
