Passengers commuting between Toronto and Mississauga using GO Transit claim they are experiencing much longer travel times after Metrolinx introduced several route changes last month, including the elimination of one bus route that connected to the city's key transit hub. 

GO Transit's Route 21 bus, which previously provided service between Milton and Toronto's Union Station, has an altered route now due to on-going efforts to refurbish the Gardiner Expressway, according to Metrolinx. 

What is most infuriating is, when I called GO transit to complain about route 21 getting canned, they said it was because of construction on the Gardiner.

So every other bus that takes the Gardiner into TO is magically not affected?

— Finding (Alf)Alpha (@FedGoesBrrrr) May 3, 2023

Instead of catching a 40-minute bus directly from Mississauga to Union Station, commuters now must take a bus to one of three train stations on the Lakeshore West GO train line to connect to Union Station. 

The adjusted bus route now connects to GO train stations at Oakville, Clarkson, and Port Credit. 

While most companies are trying to REDUCE their carbon footprint, Metrolinx is FORCING people to drive MORE now that the route 21 buses are cancelled. I now have to DRIVE to Clarkson GO station to take the TRAIN to Union instead of the once convenient nearby bus! Stupid decision.

— Jenn S (@JenniferStadd48) April 11, 2023

The same goes for the return trip — travellers must take a GO train from Union Station to one of the three stops on the Lakeshore West line and then connect to a bus to continue with their trip. 

@BonnieCrombie @NatKusendova @GOtransit the GO Bus route 21 to get between Mississauga and Union will double in travel time. We will soon have to transfer to the train on the Lakeshore line. Why are those who don't want to use cars being punished? pic.twitter.com/wffGk1t5rN

— Lawrence Bautista (@itslawlaw) March 26, 2023

Passengers claim what used to be an easy-going and straightforward commute has transformed into a connection-based nightmare that pushes one-way travel times to two hours. 

Metrolinx said in a statement that changes on Route 21 will provide "more consistent travel times by diverting service from highway congestion and planned construction."