GO Transit and UP Express are taking people where they need to be more than ever before, new data shows.

The figures, released on June 21, are included in an updated map showing GO Train and UP Express stops across the Greater Golden Horseshoe region.

Metrolinx reported April rail ridership is up six per cent over the same month last year. The agency carried 6.4 million people in April 2019, with 5.1 million of ridership on GO Transit.

Every one of the corridors reported an increase in ridership. UP Express led the way with its ridership growing 14.2 per cent. Richmond Hill was up 10.5 per cent, while Barrie was up 10.3 per cent.

A huge contributor to the growth of ridership is the extra service added. From April 1, 2018, to March 31, 2019, there was an almost 14 per cent increase in rail service on GO. That meant 292 more weekly trips.

The data shows the growth in midday ridership on the Lakeshore lines, the workhorses of the GO network, where service is about every 15 minutes all day long.

“We are really encouraged that residents across our region are choosing GO and UP Express to get to their destinations no matter their reason for travel,” said Mark Childs, chief marketing officer for Metrolinx.

“Increased service, lower fare short distance trips and Kids GO Free are helping deliver transit that is better, faster and easier.”

The Kids GO Free program was piloted on the Barrie line, and helped lead to 11,900 more adult weekend boardings.

Childs said the results from the March 9, 2019, system-wide launch of Kids GO Free will be seen going forward, as will the new lower base fare for short distance trips.

Lower fares for shorter trips took effect on April 20, including a price cut to $3.70 for rides of approximately 10 km or less.

There was strong midday growth, including on the Stouffville Line which saw a 10 per cent increase at Centennial Station.

Figures for Lakeshore East and West also grew 5.4 and 3.8 per cent respectively.

UP Express ridership continues to grow. April boardings reached 347,500, an increase of 14.2 per cent.

Childs added that these regularly updated ridership maps give good indications of how – and how many – customers will count on Metrolinx in the future.

That includes these coming summer months – fueled by partnerships with Pride Toronto, the Honda Indy, Canadian National Exhibition and family oriented PRESTO Perks.

These incentives – along with future partnerships and advances to come – will continue to multiply the reasons for customers to make GO a part of their travels.