Metrolinx will cast a wide net in its upcoming search to replace 14-year GO Transit president Gary McNeil, who has announced he is retiring in the fall at age 65.

McNeil, who worked with the TTC prior to joining GO in 1999, has presided over a massive expansion of the system. During his tenure, ridership has gone from 40 million to 65 million annually.

The hope is to have a new GO executive in place in October so that there will be a period of overlap before McNeil departs Nov. 8, said Metrolinx spokeswoman Anne-Marie Aikins.

Although the scope of the recruitment is still being finalized, “We will do a very exhaustive search to get the best candidate,” she said.

Describing McNeil as a “steady hand,” Metrolinx president Bruce McCuaig credited the outgoing president with building a strong team.

“He … has left us a transit organization that is unmatched in delivering quality service to its customers,” said McCuaig.

In addition to the introduction this month of all-day, 30-minute service on the Lakeshore GO lines, McNeil has presided over the launch of the Presto fare card and the re-launch of the Barrie GO service. He also introduced double-decker buses to the system.

Aikins said McNeil told staff he is most proud of GO’s customer service orientation.

The company is receiving the American Public Transportation Authority’s award for the most outstanding public transit system this year.

GO has renewed its customer service in the past five years, following petitions and loud protests from riders who were unhappy about poor on-time performance. In addition to better honouring train schedules, GO has introduced wi-fi in some of its stations and launched Quiet Zones on the upper levels of rush-hour trains.

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