Morning GO trains cancelled due to low staffing levels; afternoon trains up in the air

An early morning cancellation to two Barrie GO trains linked to short staffing could cause further delays throughout the day.

Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins confirmed to BarrieToday that two trains were cancelled this morning.

“We may have several cancellations later in the day, but won’t know for sure until this afternoon," she said Monday. 

“Staffing levels are impacted by both the mandatory vaccination policy as well as staff absences from illness, vacation, etc.,” Aikins added.

Alstom crews operate the trains and this morning they had fewer staff than expected due to illness, she said, and they had to cancel two trains.

On Nov. 1, nearly 100 bus trips were cancelled in the GTA and Hamilton areas as the Metrolinx transit agency began to place staff unvaccinated against COVID-19 on unpaid leave.

At that time, it was believed that train delays could happen as the transit agency was at 95 per cent double-vaccination compliance.

Aikins said there have been fewer Metrolinx staff than they usually have due to the vaccination policy, but said “the good news is many staff are returning fully vaccinated so we have far fewer bus cancellations.”

Aikins was unsure how many people were affected due to today’s cancellations, saying that ridership is still below 50 per cent. Those who were impacted were all accommodated on buses, she added.