Metrolinx has announced the official opening date of Bloomington Station.

The new star on the Richmond Hill line will open to the public on June 28.

The shiny new transit hub is located at Highway 404 and Bloomington Road, in the northeast corner of Richmond Hill.

The GO Station, which is part of the GO Expansion program, will be served by GO trains during weekday rush hours and by GO bus Route 61 on weekdays during the off-peak.

“We are so proud to open the new Bloomington GO, which will deliver even more transit options in York Region,” said Phil Verster, President and CEO of Metrolinx.

“Our customers will have access to a brand-new station building with amenities that will keep them safe as they travel on GO Transit and will support future growth in the region.” 

The station doesn’t simply sit in isolation. It’s part of a complex, important and evolving system connecting GO Transit vehicles and routes to destinations and other transit options across the Greater Golden Horseshoe Region. And we’re not just talking about today, but as important, how Bloomington will support future transit needs and ridership growth.

New station, new features

Customers, including those who returning to transit over the months ahead, will have access to a host of features designed to make commuting as easy as possible.

For instance, the station has a three-level parking structure equipped with a car counting system which allows customers to locate available parking spots faster.

The structure has 760 parking spaces in addition to 238 parking spaces at the main surface level.

Some of the other features include:

• Easy access to station from Highway 404 for drop-off and pickups.
• A bus loop with six bus bays for GO Transit and any future local transit connections.
• 12 car platform with heated shelters and a snowmelt system to keep you safe in the winter.
• Large modern waiting areas with plenty of natural lighting and views.
• Bike parking with quick access to the platform, to keep you safe and connected.
• Accessible, well-lit ramps throughout the structure and two elevators to allow passengers access to every level of the station.

LEEDing by example

The station was designed to achieve LEED Gold certification, which is a green building certification program used worldwide.

The roof has solar panels to help generate electricity and the station uses low-energy LED lights – one of the features to help reduce the overall carbon footprint.

Saving the rain

Metrolinx has also incorporated a storm-water management system – the building collects water and reuses it around the site.

The station is meant to optimize the space for the station while minimizing footprint. By incorporating a multi-level parking structure, Metrolinx was able to minimize the disruption to the surrounding ecology, preserving significant wetlands and a pond within the station site.

Helping the frogs  

Since the station is in Ontario’s Greenbelt, it’s surrounded by significant wildlife, which includes frogs.

The transit agency has also thought about their commute by keeping migration paths open and creating a specialized underground crossing from the existing pond to neighbouring wetlands.

A more connected network

The station is just one example of how Metrolinx is building a better transit system that will change life in York region. Bloomington GO will offer residents and transit users more service options and seamless connections to the already expansive GO transit network. The new, state-of-the-art transit hub will also help take the Richmond Hill line to a whole new level.