A major expansion planned for the Milton GO station has been stopped in its tracks.

In an email sent to a town official, Metrolinx — the agency that operates GO trains — stated that they have been evaluating all of their infrastructure projects “through a rigorous, cost-benefit business case approach.”

“With that in mind, we have decided to adjust plans to redevelop Milton GO station to focus on the most urgent requirement, which is additional parking. The planned new station and bus loop will not be built at this time,” the email read.

Back in November 2017, the provincial transit agency — along with then-Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca — announced Ontario was moving forward with a full-scale expansion of the Milton GO station.

The plan then was to build a new station, new bus loop and passenger pickup and drop-offs, more accessible connections to train and buses platforms, upgraded platforms and infrastructure to support future layover of trains, and improved pedestrian connections and bike storage.

Coun. Colin Best says he is “very disappointed” by the decision.

“The idea should be to improve all the transit connections and having a bus link and having a connection on both sides of the tracks,” he said, urging Metrolinx to go beyond improving parking.

“If you compare it to the other GO stations — and I ride the GO train on a regular basis — we have probably the least amount of service on either line … Lakeshore or the Milton line.”

The email, which was shared with the Champion, lists some of the improvements to GO services in Milton over the years. The Milton rail corridor now serves 100 weekly trips up from 60. Double-decker buses have also been added to GO Bus route 21 (Union Station to Milton GO Station).

For resident Zakiuddin Syed, who commutes daily to Toronto, he would like to see more trips being added.