Toronto's GO Transit is set to start an environmental assessment (EA) that will look at what infrastructure upgrades would be required to expand rail service to the Niagara Peninsula including prospective building sites for new rail stations and potential improvements to the existing rail line. The EA begins this week, with completion scheduled for summer 2010.

Following the EA and subsequent public review period, there will be an assessment to determine whether a business case exists for this service.

"The potential service expansion along the Niagara corridor will depend on various factors such as fleet availability, capital and operating funds and supportive business partnerships with the railways," said Gary McNeil, GO Transit's managing director.

The Niagara rail line service expansion is outlined in GO Transit's "Strategic Plan: GO 2020," and is part of GO's vision for better, expanded service for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.