A proposed GO Transit line in Ontario is inching closer toward reality as local councillors prepare to review a plan that seeks to bring rail service to commuters in Cambridge next week. 

In 2023, Hatch Ltd. and Dillon Consulting Limited were retained by the Region of Waterloo to prepare an Initial Business Case (IBC) for a new GO service between Cambridge and Guelph, connecting to the Kitchener GO Line. 

The project team will take a report to the sustainability, infrastructure, and development committee on Tuesday, and is recommending that it endorse the findings of the Cambridge to Union Passenger Rail Connection IBC and Concept Design study. 

The line, if endorsed, would take commuters from a new station on Pinebush Road to Guelph Central Station, and from there, to Union Station. 

The two-way, all-day service would have an estimated travel time between Cambridge and Guelph of 14 to 17 minutes and 87 minutes between Cambridge and Union Station. 

Source: Region of Waterloo. 

Transit travel time between Cambridge and Guelph using the existing bus service is approximately 56 minutes. 

"As population and trips across the Region of Waterloo increase, congestion along these roads and highways will further contribute to delays, increase of travel time, and reduction of overall reliability," the report reads. 

The proposal is currently expected to take anywhere between four to six years to reach the construction stage and is projected to cost between $396 million and $505 million in 2023 dollars depending on the frequency of service. 

Staff are also recommending that regional staff forward the report to municipal partners to create a "unified voice to support the project." 

Source: Region of Waterloo.

They are also recommending Metrolinx include the project in the Regional Transit Plan, continue the project under Metrolinx's jurisdiction to further design and engineering to conduct a Preliminary Design Business Case, and continue engagement with CN to establish a strategy for use of the Fergus Subdivision. 

The region is also asking Metrolinx to provide GO bus service between Cambridge and Guelph to meet current needs prior to the proposed rail service being operational.