Union Pearson Express: Toronto's New Airport Rail Link
#47
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan, 50K Altitude, Nexus
Posts: 339
I know everyone complains about price but the product is really good, I think it's just part of the problem is People here just love to complain bat everything.
The biggest issue is just the location so it will always serve a small sub set of the population, that is a genuine concern. I live downtown, maybe a 10 minute walk from union and work in North York. So if I am travelling from home to airport I'll take it from work I'm back onto cabs or leaving car at airport. I've taken it 3 times so far and it's fine.
Just for Toronto price comparison, going to the Toronto Islands is like 8 bucks now and that is just for leisure - I was there yesterday no shortage of people going, so paying extra for an expensive plane ticket shouldn't in theory be a huge issue for most, the Go train to Mississauga round trip is 14 bucks now RT, uber to the airport from my place is 40-50, cabs are 65-80 (I think they make it up). Parking at the airport is about 15-20 bucks a day if you want your car covered less if you don't mind it outside plus gas of coarse.
I know someone mentioned the 2/person fee being paid to the airport, well we did privatize airports so no Matter what link was built airport was going to be paid.
I think prices may change to help increase ridership (it's been 50% on average for me) so if you can drop prices 10-15% and get 20% more People it makes sense.
I just wish people in this city stopped complaining about everything.
The biggest issue is just the location so it will always serve a small sub set of the population, that is a genuine concern. I live downtown, maybe a 10 minute walk from union and work in North York. So if I am travelling from home to airport I'll take it from work I'm back onto cabs or leaving car at airport. I've taken it 3 times so far and it's fine.
Just for Toronto price comparison, going to the Toronto Islands is like 8 bucks now and that is just for leisure - I was there yesterday no shortage of people going, so paying extra for an expensive plane ticket shouldn't in theory be a huge issue for most, the Go train to Mississauga round trip is 14 bucks now RT, uber to the airport from my place is 40-50, cabs are 65-80 (I think they make it up). Parking at the airport is about 15-20 bucks a day if you want your car covered less if you don't mind it outside plus gas of coarse.
I know someone mentioned the 2/person fee being paid to the airport, well we did privatize airports so no Matter what link was built airport was going to be paid.
I think prices may change to help increase ridership (it's been 50% on average for me) so if you can drop prices 10-15% and get 20% more People it makes sense.
I just wish people in this city stopped complaining about everything.
#48
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: most of them
Posts: 3,283
I've always taken the Pacific Western bus to get downtown. Roundtrip cost on that is about $35 IIRC. But I usually stay at the (former) Delta Chelsea or elsewhere nearby so that always worked well for me.
I could see taking this train if I was staying down by Union, or I suppose transfer to TTC is easy enough.
I could see taking this train if I was staying down by Union, or I suppose transfer to TTC is easy enough.
#49
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Toronto-YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan, BA Executive- Blue, Lifemiles, AA Advantage, VIA Rail Preference, Iberia Plus
Posts: 565
I know everyone complains about price but the product is really good, I think it's just part of the problem is People here just love to complain bat everything.
The biggest issue is just the location so it will always serve a small sub set of the population, that is a genuine concern. I live downtown, maybe a 10 minute walk from union and work in North York. So if I am travelling from home to airport I'll take it from work I'm back onto cabs or leaving car at airport. I've taken it 3 times so far and it's fine.
Just for Toronto price comparison, going to the Toronto Islands is like 8 bucks now and that is just for leisure - I was there yesterday no shortage of people going, so paying extra for an expensive plane ticket shouldn't in theory be a huge issue for most, the Go train to Mississauga round trip is 14 bucks now RT, uber to the airport from my place is 40-50, cabs are 65-80 (I think they make it up). Parking at the airport is about 15-20 bucks a day if you want your car covered less if you don't mind it outside plus gas of coarse.
I know someone mentioned the 2/person fee being paid to the airport, well we did privatize airports so no Matter what link was built airport was going to be paid.
I think prices may change to help increase ridership (it's been 50% on average for me) so if you can drop prices 10-15% and get 20% more People it makes sense.
I just wish people in this city stopped complaining about everything.
The biggest issue is just the location so it will always serve a small sub set of the population, that is a genuine concern. I live downtown, maybe a 10 minute walk from union and work in North York. So if I am travelling from home to airport I'll take it from work I'm back onto cabs or leaving car at airport. I've taken it 3 times so far and it's fine.
Just for Toronto price comparison, going to the Toronto Islands is like 8 bucks now and that is just for leisure - I was there yesterday no shortage of people going, so paying extra for an expensive plane ticket shouldn't in theory be a huge issue for most, the Go train to Mississauga round trip is 14 bucks now RT, uber to the airport from my place is 40-50, cabs are 65-80 (I think they make it up). Parking at the airport is about 15-20 bucks a day if you want your car covered less if you don't mind it outside plus gas of coarse.
I know someone mentioned the 2/person fee being paid to the airport, well we did privatize airports so no Matter what link was built airport was going to be paid.
I think prices may change to help increase ridership (it's been 50% on average for me) so if you can drop prices 10-15% and get 20% more People it makes sense.
I just wish people in this city stopped complaining about everything.
People like to complain in this city about a lack of progress, but many are the NIMBY crowd. "OMG CHANGE!"
IMO, if $25 (and it is less if you pre-purchase and have a presto card) is going to make or break your trip, you probably shouldn't be travelling. Sounds harsh but it's true.
Having said that, I don't think this is really a good price for a family and borderline at best for a couple but for solo travellers or if you have an early morning flight, it's a great option if you're in the west end or near Union.
That's really the only time I'd use it unless if I were running late, which beats taking a cab. Can't see myself taking it home or when returning from a flight though. I'd prob get off near Landsdowne and do car2go the rest of the way.
#50
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,497
Is it really progress that a diesel train in this modern era is used for a "new" line that prices out average commuters yet used public funds for construction?
I think questions about this service's viability are indeed valid. This isn't London. Heathrow Express is supported by plenty of business travelers who can claim the bill. Toronto does not have the same volume of business traffic that can sustain a frequent premium train service to the airport. Then you price out the families who can drive or take a taxi that costs less net. So who else do you have left? The yuppies who prefer to fly out of Billy Bishop, or the backpackers and commuters that can't afford it?
They should have included a commuter service so at least to do some public good but would take longer to get to the airport to justify the savings. They spent so much money on the infrastructure already - they should make the best use of it.
I think questions about this service's viability are indeed valid. This isn't London. Heathrow Express is supported by plenty of business travelers who can claim the bill. Toronto does not have the same volume of business traffic that can sustain a frequent premium train service to the airport. Then you price out the families who can drive or take a taxi that costs less net. So who else do you have left? The yuppies who prefer to fly out of Billy Bishop, or the backpackers and commuters that can't afford it?
They should have included a commuter service so at least to do some public good but would take longer to get to the airport to justify the savings. They spent so much money on the infrastructure already - they should make the best use of it.
#51
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
https://www.upexpress.com/AboutUP/UpFaqs
the train can be converted.
http://www.gotransit.com/electrifica...n/default.aspx yes, rome was not built in a day.
#52
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 186
Is it really progress that a diesel train in this modern era is used for a "new" line that prices out average commuters yet used public funds for construction?
I think questions about this service's viability are indeed valid. This isn't London. Heathrow Express is supported by plenty of business travelers who can claim the bill. Toronto does not have the same volume of business traffic that can sustain a frequent premium train service to the airport. Then you price out the families who can drive or take a taxi that costs less net. So who else do you have left? The yuppies who prefer to fly out of Billy Bishop, or the backpackers and commuters that can't afford it?
They should have included a commuter service so at least to do some public good but would take longer to get to the airport to justify the savings. They spent so much money on the infrastructure already - they should make the best use of it.
I think questions about this service's viability are indeed valid. This isn't London. Heathrow Express is supported by plenty of business travelers who can claim the bill. Toronto does not have the same volume of business traffic that can sustain a frequent premium train service to the airport. Then you price out the families who can drive or take a taxi that costs less net. So who else do you have left? The yuppies who prefer to fly out of Billy Bishop, or the backpackers and commuters that can't afford it?
They should have included a commuter service so at least to do some public good but would take longer to get to the airport to justify the savings. They spent so much money on the infrastructure already - they should make the best use of it.
I don't know what People expected this to be, it connects the downtown core to the airport - both areas are people of higher income and tilted towards business. To build a km of subway costs 500 million, that's what this whole project cost.
It's never going to be perfect or fit all people but nothing is, I suspect prices may change or we will see some type of variable pricing. People pay 300/month for go train passes now, parking at my office building is 400/month, people pay 40 for parking for leaf games and concerts. If it actually makes it easier for business to stay downtown, attract more conferences and take some congestion off the road it's fine.
I think people forget the buses from the airport to the hotels were over 20 bucks and they took the highway a while. This is a similar price point for a way better service.
#54
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: yyz
Programs: Non-Rev Lifetime
Posts: 1,925
Interesting...
just checked my history with Presto lookup and discovered I was only charged $19 for my UPX ride from Union to Bramalea Go station via connecting to the hourly (T1 ground level) York Mills-Brampton #34 Bus.
just checked my history with Presto lookup and discovered I was only charged $19 for my UPX ride from Union to Bramalea Go station via connecting to the hourly (T1 ground level) York Mills-Brampton #34 Bus.
#56
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,497
It isn't built near Wher families live, why would it target them? It's built at the foot of Bay Street where finance, law, accounting, engineering and now tech and medical or booming.
I don't know what People expected this to be, it connects the downtown core to the airport - both areas are people of higher income and tilted towards business. To build a km of subway costs 500 million, that's what this whole project cost.
It's never going to be perfect or fit all people but nothing is, I suspect prices may change or we will see some type of variable pricing. People pay 300/month for go train passes now, parking at my office building is 400/month, people pay 40 for parking for leaf games and concerts. If it actually makes it easier for business to stay downtown, attract more conferences and take some congestion off the road it's fine.
I think people forget the buses from the airport to the hotels were over 20 bucks and they took the highway a while. This is a similar price point for a way better service.
I don't know what People expected this to be, it connects the downtown core to the airport - both areas are people of higher income and tilted towards business. To build a km of subway costs 500 million, that's what this whole project cost.
It's never going to be perfect or fit all people but nothing is, I suspect prices may change or we will see some type of variable pricing. People pay 300/month for go train passes now, parking at my office building is 400/month, people pay 40 for parking for leaf games and concerts. If it actually makes it easier for business to stay downtown, attract more conferences and take some congestion off the road it's fine.
I think people forget the buses from the airport to the hotels were over 20 bucks and they took the highway a while. This is a similar price point for a way better service.
The real congestion beater would be to run a frequent commuter service instead of a premium line that prices out the average working family.
#57
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
you must subscribe to the star since this sounds like the same broken record they keep spewing. boy do people in Toronto complain a lot. i have only lived here for 15 years but it's as bad as people say it is. complain complain complain and me me me is what this city is all about.
#58
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYZ/SFO
Programs: AS MVPG, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 271
Interesting...
just checked my history with Presto lookup and discovered I was only charged $19 for my UPX ride from Union to Bramalea Go station via connecting to the hourly (T1 ground level) York Mills-Brampton #34 Bus.
just checked my history with Presto lookup and discovered I was only charged $19 for my UPX ride from Union to Bramalea Go station via connecting to the hourly (T1 ground level) York Mills-Brampton #34 Bus.
#59
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: yyz
Programs: Non-Rev Lifetime
Posts: 1,925
I think Pearson (I prefer "Malton International") is in the same fare zone as Brampton, so $5.30 bus fare and GTAA parking surcharge subtracted once I tapped out at Bramalea?
#60
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Delta PM, HHonors Gold; SPG Gold
Posts: 254
I used UP express to/from YYZ last week while in Toronto for the PanAm games.
I thought the price was a little steep - but not exorbitant, especially when considering the price of a cab for the same trip.
I arrived in Toronto at 7:30am on a Wednesday and needed to deplane; clear customs/immigration and be in downtown Toronto at 8:30. Thanks to no lines at customs and the UP express, I made it to my location with 15 minutes to spare. Worth its price there for sure.
I used it on the way back as well on a Saturday morning even though I wasn't in a hurry due to the convenience factor.
As I believe others mentioned, the seat was comfortable, there was room for my luggage, and I liked having an outlet at every seat + wifi.
If I returned to Toronto in the future, I'm not sure I'd use it unless I were in a hurry again to get downtown, but it certainly seemed like a good value.
I'd also echo whoever said that it was a little hard to find. I arrived at T1 on Air Canada, and followed the signs that said "train to city" assuming that was the UP Express - and it was, but I didn't understand why the signs also couldn't say "UP Express" somewhere. I had bought my ticket online ahead of time and knew I was looking for the UP Express, yet throughout the airport, all the signs had the generic "trains to city" label, which seemed very odd.
But all in all, a good value, especially if you're in a hurry.
I thought the price was a little steep - but not exorbitant, especially when considering the price of a cab for the same trip.
I arrived in Toronto at 7:30am on a Wednesday and needed to deplane; clear customs/immigration and be in downtown Toronto at 8:30. Thanks to no lines at customs and the UP express, I made it to my location with 15 minutes to spare. Worth its price there for sure.
I used it on the way back as well on a Saturday morning even though I wasn't in a hurry due to the convenience factor.
As I believe others mentioned, the seat was comfortable, there was room for my luggage, and I liked having an outlet at every seat + wifi.
If I returned to Toronto in the future, I'm not sure I'd use it unless I were in a hurry again to get downtown, but it certainly seemed like a good value.
I'd also echo whoever said that it was a little hard to find. I arrived at T1 on Air Canada, and followed the signs that said "train to city" assuming that was the UP Express - and it was, but I didn't understand why the signs also couldn't say "UP Express" somewhere. I had bought my ticket online ahead of time and knew I was looking for the UP Express, yet throughout the airport, all the signs had the generic "trains to city" label, which seemed very odd.
But all in all, a good value, especially if you're in a hurry.