Metrolinx apologizes for delays after derailment, announces Eglinton LRT opening

The president of Ontario’s transportation agency issued an apology to GO transit riders Friday, for major delays and disruptions since a train derailed west of Toronto’s Union Station Monday.

CEO of Metrolinx Michael Lindsay says the agency has tried its best to keep riders updated on train schedules and the recovery work progress, but commuters don’t agree with the statement, saying they expected better communication and information regarding how the derailment happened.

Commuters at the Burlington GO Station Friday, said even though it’s been nearly a full work week since a train derailed near Toronto’s Union Station, anxiety still kicked in as they attempted to catch their morning trip.

“I was shocked, I’ve always been worried about it,” said Madi Busby, a GO Transit commuter. “GO Transit is always reliable, so it made me worry about taking GO Transit today.”

Despite GO service being on a special schedule, Busby said she arrived at the station two hours early as a precaution.

READ MORE: Derailed GO Train near Toronto Union Station disrupts Monday commutes

Even with the modified times of train arrivals and departures, delays continue to persist.

“Today, I’m going downtown and it’s affecting me,” said Leila Ram, a GO Transit commuter. “It delayed me by an hour to meet up with my friend. Service is on a slower schedule — I don’t like it very much, because I’m used to it being every half hour or so.”

This Monday, a GO train was leaving Union Station at a low speed, but then derailed after it made contact with a track switch, which caused signal system disruptions across the network.

Crews continue to work on the track and get it ready for full service.

The Metrolinx CEO said he acknowledges the difficulties commuters have faced throughout the week, mainly about communicating with commuters.

“I want to start by offering my apologies to everybody who is a GO rider and I’m one myself,” said Lindsay. “We pride ourselves for providing a better than 90 per cent on-time service.”

During a transit announcement in Toronto Friday, Lindsay said the agency has tried its best to keep riders updated on train schedules and the recovery work progress.

READ MORE: Regular GO Train service to resume Saturday after derailment

He added that he expects the trains to return to full service on Saturday, after five days of repair work, which included putting the train back on track and fixing switches and signals.

While commuters endure the headaches of delayed transit, they also chimed about the lack of
communication regarding the details of the incident.

“The only thing I heard from Metrolinx, on their website, is that they’re on a special schedule and to go see the schedules,” said Busby. “Other than that, nothing on the derailment itself, so nothing there.”

“I wanted to find out more about what really happened,” said Ram. “Nothing really there. I think they’re really limiting the communication about the investigation.”

Lindsay says repair work is almost done and the infrastructure is being tested.

He also says the public will hear more about the root causes of the derailment at the agency’s board meeting next Thursday.

READ MORE: Eglinton LRT will finally open this Sunday, Toronto Transit Commission CEO confirms