[IMAGE]GO-Transit-bus-facility-full.jpg[/IMAGE]

Toronto-based GO Transit has opened a new environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art bus facility in Streetsville, which houses and services more than 200 buses, including
GO's double-decker bus fleet. It opened for service February 28.

"The new Streetsville facility will have a great benefit to GO's bus operations, with very little impact on the environment," said GO Transit Managing Director Gary McNeil. "Building smart, green facilities that can grow with us is integral to our success and part of our future plans."

With the opening of the Streetsville facility, GO is now able to store and service hundreds of buses in the west region. By limiting the distance buses travel to get to the west region, the transit system will save on fuel and fleet mileage, and minimize maintenance requirements. Storing buses in multiple locations also helps improve operations for delivering reliable service to customers. As ridership continues to grow, the Streetsville Bus Facility has the capability to expand to meet demand.

"Expanding our bus facilities to the west gives us more space, more flexibility and more control of our operations," said Paul Finnerty, director, Bus Services.    

This facility was designed and built to silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards, as recognized by the Canada Green Building Council, and will be the first LEED transit building in the greater Toronto area. Balancing human and environmental health, the development of this facility took sustainable site development, water efficiency, energy efficiency, material selection and indoor environmental quality all into consideration.