The new, state-of-the-art station will help York Region riders get to where they need to need to be better, faster, and easier.
Metrolinx’s Bloomington Station is open!
The new star on the Richmond Hill line opened to the public on June 28. The LEED Gold-certified project cost $82.4 million and took five years to complete.
The new Bloomington Station is part of province’s transformation of GO Transit into a modern, reliable and fully integrated rapid transit network that will support the future generations to come. Located at Highway 404 and Bloomington Road, in the northeast corner of Richmond Hill, GO trains and buses will serve Bloomington GO Station, giving customers full access to the new, four-level station.
Of the opening, Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation says, “We’ve reached an incredible milestone with the completion of the new Bloomington GO Station, a major transit stop that extends the Richmond Hill line further north. By helping to better connect communities, we’re keeping our promise to build accessible, modern transit infrastructure that drives economic growth and spurs job and housing opportunities across the province.”
The new Bloomington GO Station is complete with nearly 1,000 parking spots, a three-level parking structure and a passenger drop-off and pick-up area, to help keep commutes as simple as possible. The new bus loop has six bus bays that can accommodate GO Transit services and any future local transit connections. Customers will also have access to additional COVID-19 safety measures including hand sanitizer at the station and seat dividers on all buses and trains.
“We are delivering on our commitment to bring more frequent access to transit for people in Richmond Hill and the surrounding areas of Aurora and Whitchurch-Stouffville,” said Kinga Surma, Associate Minister of Transportation (GTA). “By extending the Richmond Hill line, which spans across York Region, we are delivering a modern public transit system that gets people where they want to go that much faster.”
“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, says Nitish Bissonauth, Metrolinx bilingual spokesperson. “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,” he says. “We’re not just talking about today, but as important, how Bloomington will support future transit needs and ridership growth.”
Bloomington GO Station’s entrance waiting area is 668 square feet and has a large glass roof atrium that allows for plenty of natural lighting. Elevators and accessible ramps are found throughout the building to allow passengers to navigate all four levels of the station.
“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,” says Bissonauth. “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 station is just one example of how Metrolinx is building a better transit system that will change life in York region, says Bissonauth. “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.”
“The new Bloomington GO Station is another important addition to the development of an integrated and efficient transit system serving Richmond Hill and York Region,” said Joe DiPaola, Acting Mayor of Richmond Hill. “I want to thank the Province for its continuing investments, its incredible work on transit and delivering a new modern GO station extending the Richmond Hill line.”
www.metrolinx.com
