A major milestone in Southwestern Ontario’s regional transit expansion has officially arrived, and will make it a whole lot easier to get to and from one of the province’s most charming cities.
As of today, July 6, 2026, Metrolinx and the Ontario government have permanently extended the GO Transit Kitchener Line to the brand-new Stratford GO Station. This highly anticipated service introduces year-round, seven-days-a-week rail connectivity to the historic Festival City, linking it directly to the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
The extension is designed to accommodate both daily commuters and the thousands of tourists who flock to Stratford each year. Operating on a tailored schedule, the service mirrors the natural flow of regional travel.
On weekdays, the schedule caters to commuters traveling into the tech and employment hubs of Kitchener, Brampton, and Toronto. The weekday train departs Stratford Station on Shakespeare Street at 6:16 a.m., completing its run to Toronto’s Union Station by 8:47 a.m. The return trip leaves Union Station in the afternoon at 4:52 p.m., pulling back into Stratford at 7:28 p.m.
Recognizing Stratford’s status as a premier cultural destination (notably home to the world-renowned Stratford Festival), the weekend schedule shifts its focus to leisure travel. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the train departs Union Station in the morning at 8:49 a.m. to bring theatregoers and visitors into Stratford by 11:16 a.m., just in time for afternoon matinees.
The return weekend train leaves Stratford in the evening at 6:16 p.m., arriving back in Toronto at 8:45 p.m. Depending on the day, these trains make key intermediate stops at stations including Kitchener, Guelph, Acton, Georgetown, Mount Pleasant, Brampton, Bramalea, and Bloor GO.
Passengers planning to use the new service should note a few initial station specifics. For the launch period, PRESTO fare payment is not yet active at Stratford GO Station, and physical tickets cannot be purchased via automated vending machines on-site. Instead, riders must buy their e-tickets online in advance.
Additionally, because the extended weekend trains operate with a six-coach configuration, Metrolinx advises passengers to pay attention to station announcements, as not all train doors will open onto the Stratford platform.
You can find out more here on the GO Transit official website.
