GO Regional Express Rail proposal

[bdawe]

I happened to be perusing Metrolinx GO RER business case, where they are making the case for a full-build RER plan. highlights of the scenario 5 plan include

• Electrification to Aldershot, Oshawa, Bramalea, Barie, and Lincolnville.
• Fifteen minute all day service to Aldershot, Oshawa, Bramalea, Aurora and Unionville, with hourly service to Hamilton, Barie, and Mount Joy
• Bilevel EMU with 4-12 car trains.
• two-man operation (down from three)
• European style trains (apparently GO is only required to follow TC/FRA type rules on CN/CP owned tracks.)
• $13 billion capital cost
• Operating profits projected (188% farebox ratio)
• 3.1:1 benefit-cost ratio expected, with up to 10:1 for sub-components such as Lakeshore-East

This is an exciting plan to be moving forward, bringing modern regional rail to a north American railway, based on successful international models.