Commuters across the Greater Toronto Area may need to seek out alternative routes in the event of a work stoppage by Canada’s major railways this week.
The Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City remain at odds with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference union. The union will be in legal strike position Wednesday, while CN can legally begin locking workers out Thursday.
If work stops, Metrolinx says GO train services will grind to a halt on the Milton line and Hamilton GO.
“We are closely monitoring this situation and will inform our customers of any changes should a labour disruption occur,” said Metrolinx spokesperson Andrea Ernesaks in a statement Monday.
A strike “would definitely not be fun,” commuter Nidhi Daruwala told CBC Toronto on Tuesday morning after stepping off a train at Union Station.
Workers at Canada’s two main rail companies could strike as early as Thursday. CBC’s Clara Pasieka breaks down how the city’s public transit and local businesses could be impacted.
Daruwala said she takes the Milton line from Streetsville Station in Mississauga to downtown Toronto, with an estimated trip time just under an hour.
“I’d either take a different train, which means at least an hour on the bus to get to a different GO station, or have to commute by car on the Gardiner, which no one wants to do,” she said.
Daruwala’s fellow commuter, Manisha Bhandari, echoed her statements.
“Obviously, we are not driving,” Bhandari said.
“There are lots of people who take the commute, GO train, especially from Streetsville, which is always busy, so we’d appreciate it if [a deal] gets done,” she said.
“Hopefully, we don’t have a strike.”
Alternative routes
Ernesaks said Metrolinx is encouraging customers “to plan ahead by visiting gotransit.com before travelling.”
Per her statement, commuters who usually use Hamilton GO can use the West Harbour GO, the Aldershot GO or take a GO bus along Route 16.
Meanwhile, those who typically rely on the Milton line can access local transit or use the Lakeshore West or Kitchener lines.
Ernesaks said customers should expect “busier than usual” commutes.