The provincial government is planning to upgrade more than 40 GO Transit stations across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area as it moves forward with a program to dramatically increase service on the region’s rail network.

At a news conference Friday at Union Station, Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca announced that the government issued a request for qualifications for the work earlier this week. Construction is expected to begin at some stations next year.

“We believe the commuter experience can be enhanced, not just here at Union Station, but right across the GO network,” said Del Duca.

The upgrades will support the provincial Liberals’ $13.5-billion regional express rail plan, which will electrify service on GO rail lines and quadruple the number of weekly train trips from 1,500 to nearly 6,000 by 2025.

Forty-three stations in nine municipalities, including 10 in Toronto, are scheduled to get upgrades that include enhancements to platform edges, digital signage that will display service information, new fare devices, modifications to improve station access, and elevator improvements.

Secure bicycle parking facilities and electric vehicle charging stations are also part of the plans, which Del Duca said would contribute toward creating a “modern, integrated, and sustainable transportation network.”

“We know almost 1.5 million Ontarians hop on their bikes at least once a week during the spring, summer, and fall, and frankly many cycle year-round,” the minister said.

“Cycling is a great way to commute and the new GO bike parking will make it easier than ever for cyclists to use GO Transit to travel across the GTHA.”

Del Duca said that it was too early to put a price tag on the station work, but a spokesperson for Metrolinx, the provincial transit agency, estimated the upgrades would cost in the tens of millions of dollars.

The minister also announced the next steps in the renovation of Union Station. Infrastructure Ontario has narrowed down the shortlist of bidders to complete improvements that include the construction of a new wider platform, a below-ground concourse, and an emergency power system.

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