Several GO train lines facing delays due to extreme heat

Metrolinx have been forced to slow down GO trains, causing delays and cancellations, due to the extreme heat happening across much of Ontario this week.

The transit service says that during these prolonged period of high heat, rail tracks have the potential to soften and expand, requiring them to run the trains at slower speeds.

To ensure the safety of riders and crew, slow orders have been issued across the network and to also reduce the risk of track damage.

The lines affect are the Stouffville Line, the Barrie Line, Lakeshore East and West and the Kitchener Line.

The following adjustments have been made on each line to accommodate the slow orders:

Stouffville Line: 

• Union Station 14:12 – Mount Joy GO 15:07 – Customers can take a GO bus from Union Station Bus Terminal running express to Unionville GO, and making all stops north to Mount Joy GO.
• Mount Joy GO 15:34 – Union Station 16:29 – Customers can take a GO bus from Mount Joy GO, making all stops south to Unionville GO station, and then running express to Union Station Bus Terminal.
• Customers travelling to and from Kennedy, Agincourt and Unionville GO are encouraged to take TTC.
• The Union Station 15:12 – Mount Joy 16:24 train has been adjusted to depart at 15:28.

Barrie Line: 

• Aurora GO 15:04 – Union Station 15:54 – Customers can take a GO bus from Aurora GO, making all stops south to Rutherford GO station, and then running express to Union Station Bus Terminal.
• Southbound customers travelling from Downsview GO are encouraged to use the TTC.

Lakeshore East: 

• Union Station 15:20 – Durham College Oshawa GO 16:22 trip has been cancelled. Please consider taking the 14:50 or the 15:50 train departing at Union Station.
• Durham College Oshawa GO 16:40 – Union Station 17:42 trip has been cancelled. Please consider taking the 16:10 or the 17:10 train departing at Durham College Oshawa GO.

Lakeshore West:

• All outbound express Lakeshore West trips from Union Station will now arrive at stations approximately 5-10 minutes later as we operate at slower speeds due to extreme heat.
• Outbound Lakeshore West trips between 15:30 and 18:00 today have been adjusted to arrive 5-10 minutes later than originally scheduled at all station stops. We expect all trips to begin as scheduled.

Kitchener Line:

• All outbound Kitchener Line trips between 12:30 and 20:00 today have been adjusted to arrive 10 minutes later than originally scheduled at all station stops. We expect all trips to begin as scheduled.

An Environment Canada warning said daytime temperature highs are forecast to be between 30 and 35 C. If humidex values are factored in, it could feel like it’s between 40 and 45 C.

Meteorologists added there will be “little relief” during the night with temperature lows forecast to be between 20 and 23 C, and humidex values between 26 and 30 C.

The heat is expected to let up a little after the next round of thunderstorms that could come on Thursday, with a chance for heavier rain on Friday morning.