GO 50th Anniversary

Now arriving 1980s

In the early '80s, inflation was rising and taking interest rates with it. Ontarians were working harder than ever to make every dollar count. Fortunately, the recession didn't stop GO Transit from expanding, building, and offering even more service to its passengers.

⟵ 1970s 1990s ⟶

New decade,
new rail lines

GO Train Milton service launch 1981

The Milton launch

GO Train expansion continued into the 1980s with the launch of the Milton, Bradford and Stouffville lines. Milton train service began on October 25, 1981 on rail lines that CP had been using for passenger service until 1971.

On May 23, 1981 Canada's Wonderland opened its doors to funseekers. In that same year, GO introduced bus service to Canada's Wonderland, which is still in operation today.

GO Milestone

In 1981, the average weekday GO Bus ridership exceeded 30,000 passengers.

1982 1982

Happy 15th, GO!

In May of 1982, GO Transit celebrated its 15th anniversary.

GO news celebrating GO transit 15th anniversary

 

GO saves the day

Chat icon

In 1982, a young couple were on their way to Hamilton for their wedding when their car broke down. They were in full formal dress and had no money on hand. The Long Branch GO Station Attendant saved the day by paying their fare and putting them on the next Hamilton-bound train.

Bradford and Stouffville get on board

On September 2, 1982, GO Train service began in Bradford and Stouffville and replaced VIA Rail's passenger service that had previously been running along those lines.

GO Train and GO Bus circa 1980s

February, 1983

If it's lost, GO may have found it

Chat icon

Veda and Ellen, joint custodians of the lost articles at Union Station, say they receive more than 20 calls a day and return about 40 per cent of items to their rightful owners. Veda once tried (unsuccessfully) to locate a lost Santa Claus suit before Christmas and was rewarded with a box of chocolates. She had better luck retrieving a sum of money and returning it to its ecstatic owner.

Minimum Fare 1.35

Maximum Fare 2.50

Children 68

In the '80s, an adult could get on the GO for $1.35. A child could join them for 68¢ – a drop in the bucket compared to what it cost to own the latest technological breakthrough: a CD player, priced at $1,100.

GO Milestone

In 1983, Newmarket GO Bus terminal opened its doors for business.

June, 1983
A purr-fect ending

"The station cat" at Bradford GO station gave birth to four calico kittens. Mother and kittens were doing fine. For weeks, the stray cat that wandered into the Bradford Station and stayed had been taken care of by kind strangers and staff. All five animals were adopted.

Image of a cat with kittens in a box

In October of 1984, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre opened its doors. The 56,000-square-metre structure was built on the site of tail end tracks and a former parking lot.

In 1986, passengers had many options to 'get there on GO.'

View Timetable

1987 1987

GO transit 20th anniversary souvenir pass 1987

Happy 20th, GO!

GO Transit celebrated its 20th anniversary in May of 1987. To mark the event, GO issued a special souvenir pass.

To keep people moving, GO Trains switched over to a Proof of Payment (POP) fare system in 1988. Passengers who weren't using a monthly pass validated their tickets at machines in the stations instead of lining up to have their tickets inspected on the way out.

On June 3, 1989 SkyDome opened its doors and retractable roof. It was Toronto's newest venue for sports, concerts and events.