GO Train trends: unprecedented opportunities for Quebec SMEs

Between 2024 and 2025, public transit in Canada is in the midst of a major transformation, and Quebec SMEs have everything to gain from keeping a close eye on GO Train and regional network trends. According to Statistics Canada, urban transit systems across the country recorded some 1.59 billion trips in 2024, an increase of 8.8% over 2023, although ridership remains some 16% below 2019 levels. More than 66% of these trips are in Ontario and Quebec, demonstrating the strategic importance of the Quebec-Ontario corridor for businesses in the province. ([torontomu.ca](https://www.torontomu.ca/centre-urban-research-land-development/blog/blogentry99-canada-transit-trips-recovering-at-varying-rates-go-outpaces-ttc/?utm_source=openai))

Looking beyond the overall figures, the upturn is particularly marked in the major centers linked by Ontario’s GO Transit network, which serves the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. For a Quebec-based SME already selling in Ontario, or looking to expand there, these trends mean more mobile customer bases, more regular commuter flows and new digital expectations (ticketing, real-time information, complementary services). Understanding how these GO Train trends influence travel behavior enables you to better position your offer, optimize your marketing and identify local partnerships.

In this article, we’ll analyze recent transit figures, the specifics of the Ontario-Quebec market and concrete opportunities for Quebec SMEs, before looking at how digital, AI and e-commerce – Nuaweb ‘s key areas of expertise – can help transform these trends into sustainable growth.

1. New mobility dynamics: what the figures for 2024-2025 tell us

The latest data show a slow but steady recovery in public transit in Canada since 2021. In 2024, Statistics Canada estimates that urban networks provided around 1.6 billion trips, or 84.2% of 2019’s pre-pandemic level. ([forbes.com](https://www.forbes.com/sites/ankitmishra/2025/04/07/could-tech-transform-public-transit-use-to-lower-congestion-in-canada/?utm_source=openai)) More specifically, the Ontario-Quebec duo accounts for 1.05 billion of these trips, up 9.4% year-on-year, but still only 81% of its 2019 peak – the region with the slowest recovery, highlighting still significant growth potential. ([torontomu.ca](https://www.torontomu.ca/centre-urban-research-land-development/blog/blogentry99-canada-transit-trips-recovering-at-varying-rates-go-outpaces-ttc/?utm_source=openai))

Over the year 2024, month after month, the progression is clear:

• In April 2024, 131.6 million trips (+15.5% vs. 2023), more than 83% of the April 2019 level. ([www150.statcan.gc.ca](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/240618/dq240618d-eng.htm?utm_source=openai))
• In May 2024, 135.1 million trips (+9.6% vs. 2023), reaching 87% of the May 2019 level – a record recovery at that time. ([www150.statcan.gc.ca](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/240717/dq240717d-eng.htm?utm_source=openai))
• In October 2024, 147.2 million trips (+8.3% vs. 2023), or 87% of October 2019 volume, the highest monthly total since March 2020. ([www150.statcan.gc.ca](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/241213/dq241213e-eng.htm?utm_source=openai))

At the same time, a study by the Centre for Urban Research and Land Development at Metropolitan University of Toronto points out that Toronto (TTC and GO Transit) totalled almost 493.9 million trips in 2024, up 10.1% on 2023, while Montreal reached 413.7 million trips (+8.7%). ([torontomu.ca](https://www.torontomu.ca/centre-urban-research-land-development/blog/blogentry99-canada-transit-trips-recovering-at-varying-rates-go-outpaces-ttc/?utm_source=openai)) These figures confirm the central role of these two metropolises, directly connected to the Quebec market and to the flows of passengers who use, among others, GO Train services for their regional travel.

For Quebec SMEs, these trends mean :

• A more mobile and segmented customer base: telecommuting, hybrid trips, leisure travel and events all drive demand around stations and intermodal hubs.
• More predictable visitor peaks thanks to traffic data, opening the door to marketing campaigns synchronized with peak periods (sporting events, festivals, back-to-school, etc.).
• Increased pressure on the digital experience: GO Train users are used to seamless applications, real-time information and additional services available online.

These contextual elements are essential for building a business strategy that truly takes advantage of GO Train trends, rather than being subjected to them.

2. GO Train and the Ontario-Québec corridor: a strategic playground for SMEs

GO Transit, and in particular GO Train, serves the Greater Toronto Area, connecting hundreds of thousands of commuters daily to their places of work, study and leisure. Ridership is recovering faster than in some urban systems, thanks in part to ongoing investments in service expansion and fare integration with other transit agencies. ([torontomu.ca](https://www.torontomu.ca/centre-urban-research-land-development/blog/blogentry99-canada-transit-trips-recovering-at-varying-rates-go-outpaces-ttc/?utm_source=openai))

For a Quebec SME, there are several strategic angles:

• Direct access to a growth market: the Toronto-Hamilton-Niagara corridor, served by GO Train, brings together millions of consumers with high purchasing power. Combined with the Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto axis, this creates an economic corridor where mobility habits are closely linked to public transit.
• Halo effect around stations: in the immediate vicinity of GO stations, residential and commercial densification is taking place. These transit-oriented developments (TOD) generate sustained demand for local shops, B2B services (catering, light logistics, concierge services, professional services) and digital solutions.
• Rise of on-demand and multimodal: according to research cited by Forbes, on-demand transportation services can increase coverage by 70% in low-density areas and boost ridership by up to 30%. ([forbes.com](https://www.forbes.com/sites/ankitmishra/2025/04/07/could-tech-transform-public-transit-use-to-lower-congestion-in-canada/?utm_source=openai)) Around the GO Train, this translates into more local shuttles, micromobility services and public-private partnerships.

Quebec SMEs already selling in Ontario – or wishing to enter – can capitalize on these dynamics in several ways:

• Adapt their logistics: offer pick-up or drop-off points near major stations, optimize delivery rounds according to GO Train schedules, offer “before or after the train” services (e.g. breakfast to go, daycare services, smart lockers).
• Deploy geolocation campaigns: target users in station catchment areas using digital advertising, social networks and partnerships with mobility applications.
• Offer a bilingual, multi-channel experience: consumers in the Quebec-Ontario corridor expect a seamless experience in French and English between the website, online store and physical points of service.

To support these initiatives, a solid digital presence becomes essential. Solutions such as professional website creation and the integration of AI tools (chatbots, recommendations, customer service automation) are powerful levers for transforming a simple online presence into a genuine competitive advantage around GO Train axes.

3. Concrete opportunities for Quebec SMEs: tourism, trade and B2B services

GO Train trends aren’t just about transport: they’re also reshaping tourist flows, purchasing behavior and B2B value chains. For Quebec SMEs, at least three major types of opportunity stand out.

3.1 Tourism and regional experiences

The rise of sustainable mobility and car-free getaways favors destinations with good rail connections. Travelers moving between Quebec and Ontario, or using GO Train to reach an airport, an event or a wine region, are looking for turnkey experiences: packages, accommodations, local activities, gastronomy.

For a Quebec SME in tourism or related services, this may mean :

• Create packages combining train + accommodation + activities with centralized online booking.
• Offer bilingual experiences (guides, web content, AI chatbots) to reassure Ontario and international customers.
• Emphasize sustainability (soft mobility, short circuits, local products), a key argument for travelers sensitive to their carbon footprint.

3.2 E-commerce and omnichannel distribution

As public transport recovers, expectations of speed and flexibility intensify. Consumers accustomed to traveling with GO Train want to be able to shop online, pick up a parcel near a station, return a product on their way to work, or access instant customer service.

This is where a robust e-commerce strategy becomes a decisive advantage. With a well-structured online store, a Quebec-based SME can :

• Offer delivery and pick-up options adapted to the pace of commuters.
• Segment offers according to the areas served by GO Train (specific promotions for the Greater Toronto Area, for example).
• Synchronize inventory with logistics partners near major rail hubs.

3.3 B2B services and digital solutions

Finally, the modernization of transportation networks – including GO Transit – is stimulating demand for B2B digital solutions: AI, data analysis, automation, customer relationship management, video content, etc. Transit operators, municipalities, station businesses and tourism organizations are looking for agile partners capable of delivering innovative projects quickly.

Quebec SMEs in technology, marketing or professional services can :

• Develop specialized applications or modules to improve passenger information, flow management or the sale of complementary services.
• Offer CRM solutions for transport organizations or transit businesses, to better track and retain their customers. (See CRM management and sales automation services).
• Create video content and digital campaigns targeting GO Train users and partner networks.

The key is to think of the GO Train not just as a means of transport, but as an entire ecosystem of contact points, data and consumption moments to be leveraged.

4. How to structure your strategy: AI, CRM and digital experience around the GO Train

To transform these trends into concrete results, Quebec SMEs need a structured approach that integrates technology, marketing and data analysis. Three pillars stand out.

4.1 Centralize customer data with a modern CRM

When your customers travel frequently – whether B2B or B2C – their points of contact with your company multiply: online searches from a train, quick requests for information, last-minute purchases, reservations changed while on the move. Without a well-configured CRM, these interactions remain fragmented.

By adopting a CRM management solution tailored to SMEs, you can :

• Track the end-to-end customer journey, including mobile-initiated interactions.
• Segment your databases according to mobility behavior (frequency of travel, region, language, type of service used).
• Launch automated campaigns (email, SMS, in-app messages) aligned with travel schedules or peak periods.

4.2 Leveraging AI and chatbots to serve customers on the move

GO Train and regional transit users are particularly sensitive to rapid response and 24/7 availability. Conversational AI solutions, such as intelligent chatbots, can absorb a large proportion of frequent requests (prices, timetables, conditions, availability, cancellation policies) without mobilizing a human team around the clock.

With a platform specialized in AI and chatbots, it is possible to :

• Instantly answer questions from customers consulting your site from their phone while on the train.
• Automate the qualification of B2B prospects (quote requests, partnerships, distribution in Ontario, etc.).
• Personalize product or service recommendations based on geographic origin (customers from Greater Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, etc.).

4.3 Making your website and e-commerce mobile-friendly

A significant proportion of public transport users consult websites and make purchases while on the move. If your site isn’t optimized for mobile use – speed, ergonomics, simplified ordering tunnel – you’re losing out on sales directly linked to these new behaviors.

By working with a team specializing in website creation and e-commerce, you can :

• Offer a seamless experience to commuters who use networks like GO Train and consult your offer between two connections.
• Integrate fast payment methods (wallets, one-click payment) adapted to mobile use.
• Highlight visual content (demonstration videos, virtual tours, testimonials) that reassures and inspires, even on a small screen.

Combined with an SEO strategy focused on keywords related to mobility, public transit and the Quebec-Ontario corridor, these digital investments are capturing a growing share of the demand generated by GO Train trends.

Conclusion: turn GO Train trends into a competitive advantage for your SME

The 2024-2025 data confirm it: public transit in Canada, and in particular in the Ontario-Québec duo, is in a phase of sustained recovery, with annual growth of almost 9% and over a billion trips concentrated in these two provinces. ([torontomu.ca](https://www.torontomu.ca/centre-urban-research-land-development/blog/blogentry99-canada-transit-trips-recovering-at-varying-rates-go-outpaces-ttc/?utm_source=openai)) Networks like GO Train are helping to structure the flow of commuters, tourists and mobile workers, creating new hotspots around stations and along major economic corridors.

For Quebec SMEs, this evolution is not anecdotal: it directly influences the way customers discover your products, interact with your brand, buy your services and return to you. By leveraging a high-performance website, a mobile-friendly online store, a well-thought-out CRM and AI solutions to automate customer service, you can turn these GO Train trends into tangible growth levers.

At Nuaweb, we support Quebec SMEs every step of the way: digital strategy, site creation, e-commerce, CRM, AI-powered automation and video production to enhance the value of your offering to new customer bases. If you’d like to take a closer look at the potential of GO Train trends for your business and build a customized action plan, contact us today for a free consultation.

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