GO Transit has a new train station! Review of Bloomington GO

By: Jamie Kauri

GO Transit recently added a stop to the Richmond Hill train and bus routes. This is my review of the new Bloomington GO station, which is located in the northeast edge of Richmond Hill and which opened on June 28.

As I got to Bloomington GO, I was definitely very impressed with the design of the building and surrounding area. However, once inside, I didn’t have quite the same feeling.

I’m a big fan of the white lining going around much of the building's exterior as well as the

large main entrance. The metal roofing from the main entrance to the outdoor parking area provides cover during inclement weather. The area surrounding the building is largely for parking but it also includes a Kiss & Ride, an open seating-space at the entrance and my favourite: beautiful views of nature with information about the surrounding environment!

Unfortunately, I was a bit underwhelmed when I went inside. I had expected more than just parking - 765 spots to be exact - in such a large building, and the customer service and waiting area before getting on the train platform was closed, which meant there was nobody to ask for help if someone needed it.

The bus terminal at the station has vehicle arrival/departure screens, an elevator, garbage bins and seating. There is also an artsy-looking, black-and-white illuminating panel on one wall of the bus terminal. I didn’t see any Presto machines near the bus bay. I may have

missed them or maybe they just haven't been installed yet and will be coming soon.

To enter the bus terminal, you can come in through Bloomington GO’s main entrance and either take an elevator or go down a fairly wide (probably 4 or 5 metre) ramp. You can also take stairs down from the parking lot on the upper levels.

I wish there was artwork and possibly even some concession stands both in the bus terminal and along the ramp.

The train platform can be reached using stairs and elevators. You can also walk there from the second level of the parking lot. From the main platform entrance, you will notice three or four steps going down to platform level. The platform has a heated floor to melt snow and lots of covered shelters with heating for the winter.

I’m a little disappointed that the design of the platform wasn’t in line with the newer glassy

GO platforms being added on some of the renovated stations. Check out RMTransit’s videos on these stations. Also, not having level boarding, where the train and platform are at the same height, makes getting on and off the train less accessible.

My main issue with Bloomington GO is that it’s incredibly difficult to get to without a car. Google Maps shows bike lanes on Bloomington Rd., from the station to just west of Leslie St., but those bike lanes don’t connect to major or typical cyclist routes. York Region Transit also doesn’t service Bloomington GO, let alone show it on their system map that went into effect a week after the station opened. Luckily, Bloomington GO has lots of platforms in the bus terminal, meaning more YRT and GO buses could operate there in the future.

The station would also be extremely difficult to get to by walking as there are limited places to safely walk. Being located right next to a highway exit doesn’t help either.

Bloomington GO will serve those people well who can drive to the station but don’t want to drive into Toronto. Hopefully, it will also become a mini transit hub serving even more people in the future.