THE OPENING next Monday of the GO Transit bus terminal and Park & Ride at Orangeville's new train station will surely be welcomed by area commuters, if nothing else because of the classy state of the new parking lot.

However, it's clearly just a first step toward meeting the long-term needs of commuters who face the frustrating challenges of skyrocketing fuel costs and growing gridlock to the south.

At present, it remains to be seen whether a combination of convenient parking and improved GO bus services will lead to many commuters leaving their cars in favour of public transit.

However, there surely will be a positive response if Orangeville Transit goes ahead with plans to offer free trips to the new depot for those with valid GO Transit tickets or passes.

As we see it, locating the depot at the train station is appropriately forward-thinking, creating the potential of one day seeing GO trains complement the bus service.

It would be interesting, indeed, to see the free local rides supplemented by a three-month trial next fall of using the Credit Valley Explorer tour train for a shuttle down to either Brampton or Streetsville and a connection with GO's Georgetown or Milton train services.