WHITBY FREELPRESS, WEDNI SDAY. MAY 1, 1985, PAGE 13 Ashe vows to resign if GO isn't extended eastwards Durhiam West MPP George Ashe bas vowed h'll not only resign from cabinet but from the Legislature should the provincial gover- nment ever reneg on its committment to extend the GO Transit comn- muter rail service from Pickering to Oshawa. Ashe made the statemnent after the goverrnent annoiinced that it bas decided to postpone the installation of the proposed Advan- ceci Ligbt Rail Transit (GO-ALRT) systoîn. .The Minister of Energy said that since the Progressive Con- servatives won last Sep- tember's federal elec- tion there has been a new "spirit of CO- operation" fromn Canadian National Railways. EUCHRE The Whitby branch of the Orange Lodge will hold a eucre night on May 7 beginning at 8 p.m. in the Orange Temple, il Bruce St., Oshawa. Prizos will be offered and lunch will be ser- ved. Admission is $150 per person and ail are welcome. This "spirit of co- operation" could mean tbat its possible to ex- tend tbe GO commuter rail service using con- ventional heavy rail trains. Ashe said he supports Ashe tbe postponement because it means that if a deal can be struck witb C.N.R. $100 million in taxpayers money could be saved. But ho also stressed tbat "Lhe plans for tbo extension of rail transit service to Oshawa is definito and irreversible. "But if that ever changes, Il resign," be told the Free Press. "'Tbat's bow strongly 1 feel aboutit." The ight-year veteran of provincial politics also disputed Durham West Liberal candidates Bilan Evan's dlaim that post- poning GO-ALRT will only mean its can- cellation after tomorrow's election. I'Contrary to statements by my op- ponents, existing plans will be altered only if a better and speedier im- plementation of service at a lower cost is possible." Ashe stresses that tbe original postponement was only to effect the GO-ALRT extension to Hamilton, but at bis request the Pickering- Oshawa lino was also included in the review. "The review is possible," ho said, "because C.N.R., with new direction from the new government in Ot- tawa, bas indicated a willingness and is ready to talk about a co- operative plan to im- prove commuter facilities and services." And tbis willing, Asbe maintains, could mean a savings of as mucb as $100 million. Tbe review will incorporate tbe use of tbe GO-ALRT facilities, right-of-way, track bed and struc- tures already under construction. Any change in plans must also niean an earlier than currently expected completion of the Pickering-Oshawa line. "Porhaps by at least one year than presently scheduled," Ashe said. Furthermore, the capacity of any revised or greater than that of GO-ALRT. "If we can get the trains moving to Oshawa a year earlier, carry more passengers million, that option must be considered," Ashe said. "That is just prudent representaion and good fiscal management. " 800 CHAM PLAIN AVE. OSH-AWA Durhams Largest OUR NEW CHEF.. ANIPV ANDE~RSON COME IN & TRY ONE 0F ANDY'S TANTALIZING TREATS THE GIEORGJA1V OFFERS VOUOO de r s e ci- 723m4693