The regional transportation authority is calling on the province to spend nearly $2 billion to electrify GO Transit’s busiest rail lines -- a move it claims will speed up travel times and result in $18 million in savings a year.

After conducting a comprehensive study on making the switch from diesel to electric trains, Metrolinx is calling on the province to fund the proposed $1.8 billion phased-in plan, which would see the Lakeshore and Georgetown lines converted in seven stages.



“The staff recommendation is based on the transportation benefits associated with electrification,” Bruce McCuaig, President and CEO of Metrolinx, said in a statement. “These benefits include journey time savings for our customers and a reduction in operating costs. In addition, proceeding with the recommended option for electrification is a significant step towards the Big Move’s long term vision for Express Rail."

The provincial government has signalled it isn’t ready to commit the funding.

Metrolinx insists converting to electric would cut some of the longest travel times on the lines by five to 10 minutes.

The proposal wouldn’t make a dent in greenhouse gas emissions though, the agency said. The Tier 4 diesel cars Metrolinx is purchasing for the upcoming Air Rail Link (ARL), between Union Station and Pearson International Airport, are well below World Health Organization emission standards. The trains can be converted to electric.

The Clean Train Coalition has been fighting to persuade officials to use electric trains due to air quality and health concerns of residents who live near the rail lines.

Metrolinx Electrification Study (.pdf)