VIA Rail is set to discontinue stopping at Guildwood and Malton stations next month in a move aimed at enhancing travel efficiency. However, this decision has sparked disappointment among passengers in Scarborough who will now need to make alternative arrangements to connect with VIA services, with Union Station or Oshawa being the closest options.
Expressing their frustration, commuters at Guildwood station shared their concerns with CityNews, highlighting the unexpected inconvenience this change brings to their daily travel routine. The announcement, tucked away in a schedule adjustments memo on VIA’s website, caught many passengers off guard, with the changes scheduled to take effect on October 25.
Scarborough-Guildwood councillor Paul Ainslie, amidst his re-election campaign, emphasized the significant impact this detour will have on residents in his ward, deeming it more than just a minor setback. Ainslie criticized the decision, pointing out the impracticality of redirecting passengers to GO Transit for their journeys, especially when traveling towards Ottawa.
Following inquiries, VIA Rail stated that the elimination of stops at Guildwood and Malton aims to streamline travel times, considering the stations’ proximity to Toronto Union Station and convenient access to GO Transit and local transit services.
The service provider also outlined additional changes along the Toronto-Ottawa route, resulting in a reduction in the average daily number of trains. Despite the adjustments, the decision to bypass Guildwood and Malton stations remains controversial among affected passengers.
