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Today is the day the new Peoplemover, or LINK, at YYZ is supposed to be tested. It is scheduled to go into operation in February, linking T1 to T3, and both terminals to the main parking lot across Airport Road. [T2 will not be linked to T1 and T3 other than by existing shuttle buses.]

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...acodalogin=yes

Article also notes that T3 will add seven new gates this fall and 55 new check-in desks [for move over of WestJet?]. Six gates of the new Pier F are slated to open in October at T1 too, with the full pier operational by January of 2007. New gates are slated for use by intercontinental flights taking some pressure off the mid-field terminal.

The LINK system is actually a cablecar system, with the trains propelled by the movement of the cables that run within the metal framework of the pathway/"tracks".

Bytepusher

Been in the plan all along.

I think they got this slightly wrong, as part of the pier F construction they will pave the apron between pier E and F and in October they will open more gates on pier E.

Tractor Boy

I believe the original plan had the second side of Pier E and one side of Pier F both opening in 2005. Has Pier F now been delayed?

cslusarc

Shouldn't the GTAA extend the LINK peoplemover to the TTC Subway at the nearest station?

Crampedin13A

That would be Kipling. The cost to do that would boggle the mind. That is a long way from PIA.

yyznomad

Although it would be a good idea (and very nice to have!), I agree with SquishedIn13A.

Bytepusher

Well it sort of is, the plan is to have one end of the LINK tracks be at the Blue22 station when that comes online.

ChrisA330

The new T3 gates have been open for quite a while. On the south side of the International Pier (Pier C?).

djjaguar64

Like most European cities, we need a high speed train that will link the terminals to Union station. We need to act upon this and start looking like a world class city. The link is only inter terminal and the parking lot.

Mozzarella

Assuming the Rexdale NIMBY's don't get their way and delay the Blue line forever under a barrage of environmental assessments.

dky

shouldn't the TTC extend the subway lines to reach PIA?

Mozzarella

Blue22 will linkup with both the subway and Union Station. Its faster than taking the subway all the way to PIA.

Scott218

Isn't it mostly a money issue?

Who will build the link from the airport to downtown?

Bytepusher

No they shouldn't, for those kinds of densities and distances Subways are not cost efficient. With the possible exception of extending the University line North to the York Campus I wouldn't expect to see much more subway contruction.

Ottawa style dedicated busways or surface light rail (aka Streetcars on dedicated tracks) is the way to go.

The Blue22 concept (i.e. high speed rail from Union Station to PIA) is not bad if a little limited in scope.

why fly

UGH a bit of an update.
the small town of WESTON is trying to take the train expansion to a full enviormental hearing. Already the plan to bury the train line through the town of weston is going to add 1/2 year to construction and $40 million more. [$200 million budget]

The train so far is the old "BUDD" cars from years ago referbished. The train will go downtown, but stop first at Kipling subway station, and then go to Union station.

This is not a "world class" solution but a crummy Liberal short term thinking cheap solution.

Anyone who has used Hong Kong's train will be in shock when they use what has been proposed for YYZ... go up and down stairs at Union station,[after paying for a cab] grab an 25 year old slow train, switch to another train at the airport, and then make it to your plane. I am not sure but I think the price was $30 one way... can someone post if this is not correct.
OR take a cab from your hotel or meeting from downtown for $40 with no hassle, and other than rush-hour it will be quicker?