Metrolinx is challenging a Champion story about all-day, two-way GO service to Milton.

In a statement issued by Halton MPP Indira Naidoo-Harris, Metrolinx says it is not aware “of any sources that would lead to the information that was posted in the Milton Canadian Champion article.”

The story, published online Feb. 15 and in the Feb. 16 print edition of the Champion, reported on a Feb. 8 Region of Halton planning and public works committee meeting, where Halton Region director of planning and chief planning official Ron Glenn said, “The timing for the Milton two-way, all-day GO is in the post 25-year horizon.”

He added, “Interestingly enough, we had a discussion with Metrolinx this week about creating a focus group on getting a defined time for the two-way, all-day GO service in Milton as a priority.”

The information shared with regional councillors at the Feb. 8 planning and public works committee prompted local and regional councillor Colin Best to tweet, “Meanwhile Metrolinx staff tell Milton that all day 2 way GO train service will not happen till after 2041.”

On Feb. 17, Jim Harnum, Halton Region’s commissioner of public works, said, “My recollection is that staff stated they thought the all-day, two-way 15-minute service to Milton was post 2025, not 25 years out.”

In the email statement issued by Naidoo-Harris, Metrolinx says it recognizes the “transformative potential of two-way, all-day service on the Milton corridor.” However, this level of service won’t be possible until “an agreement with freight rail partners” has been secured.

“We are still working toward better service on the Milton GO line,” reads the statement. “We are committed to continually rolling out improvements along the Milton corridor whenever possible.”

Some enhancements have already been implemented.

Since 2009, 40 weekly trips between Milton and Toronto were added, increasing the weekly trips to 100 from 60 as of September 2016.