LNahid2000
Senior Member
Unless you're travelling to the airport between 4pm and 7pm, the uber is probably a lot more convenient. At least that's what I think most people's thought process would be.
Toronto Union Pearson Express | ?m | ?s | Metrolinx | MMM Group Limited
rbt
Senior Member
Reliability for me, particularly in winter.
I've chopped 30 minutes off my "leave home to boarding time" window with UPX and that seems fairly reliable. This also allows me to catch earlier and slightly cheaper flights without having to take the Bloor bus to the airport or stay at a hotel near the airport.
MetroMan
Senior Member
It's the peace of mind that makes it worth it for me. It's not immune to potential issues but every single time that I've used it, I got to the airport ahead of when I expected to, completely relaxed. I can now plan my airport trips down to 15 minute buffers. I know that if I leave home now, I'll be at the airport in 40 minutes, guaranteed. You just don't have that peace of mind with a cab or the TTC.
ssiguy2
Senior Member
I don't think the service has ever been given bad reviews and it is a fast service but that's not the issue.
The issue is that $500 million in public money went into a line that is not geared towards the public. The fares are ridiculously high and the line is at 10% capacity yet is taking up space on a vital rail corridor.
The issue is that $500 million in public money went into a line that is not geared towards the public. The fares are ridiculously high and the line is at 10% capacity yet is taking up space on a vital rail corridor.
1overcosc
Active Member
This family day weekend promo is really lucky for me! I happen to be going out of town on Saturday and I've been planning this trip for a year 
LNahid2000
Senior Member
I fly about 6 times per year and take the TTC every time and have yet to miss a flight. I don't leave super early either...usually 2.5 hours before my flight's departure time. I've never really felt stressed either since I could easily get off the TTC and take a cab if there's a delay, but that's never happened.
nfitz
Superstar
The following week Metrolinx agenda often drops on a Friday afternoon. If it's really going to stir things up, they suppress it until just before the meeting - you'll notice the report on "Regional Express Rail and Smart Track Integration" didn't appear - now that's going to be an interesting one - I'd guess that it's going to make a comment that every 5-minute (and perhaps every 10-minute) SmartTrack service just isn't possible, or something like that.
Not sure that the late afternoon dump really is an issue these days, in this post-Internet age. As evidenced that both the Globe and Star had news reports up well before the 6 pm news, and had no problems making the next edition on Saturday morning.
But is it bad news ... or just an issue that they know the media is going to make a fuss about. The numbers themselves weren't particularly surprising, other than September and particularly October being so strong - which I suspect was partially a function of the Blue Jays games, given the reports of how many were taking the trains post-game.
muller877
Senior Member
The business people in the downtown are not the public? People that are willing to pay $19 aren't?
It's a great service for people that live/work/play in downtown Toronto and has increased the number of people taking transit from the airport by about 50%. Pretty impressive feat in the first year. And remember a lot of the property taxes that Toronto uses to pay for our services come from those shiny buildings in the financial district. And there are a bunch more popping up which is a good thing for our tax bill.
The 12 main bank towers represent 9% of our commercial taxes collected. Including the school portion that about $250M/year. The buildings surrounding it will double the size of this bill. With the recent sales of the buildings I'm sure MPAC will increase the value (and our tax revenue) even further. The city tried to collect taxes on the cubicles within the building but that was rejected (imagine if MPAC tried to tax your dining room table)...this number is after this adjustment.
The city/province wants to grow the financial district for this exact reason. Each tower represents a huge amount of property tax, income tax, GST, etc. And for a European or Asian multinational wanting to set up a North American footprint we want to be the destination of choice (between SF, Chicago, NY or Toronto). This has given us another advantage and we will be able to grow our financial footprint because of it.
ehlow
Senior Member
Besides lowering fares, do you think it's worth it to add one or possibly even two more stops West of Union downtown? There seem to be many hotels & areas tourists would go on the west end. Spadina?
I'm suggesting this service for people visiting staying in downtown Toronto hotels, if they're going near Union. It's still <1/2 the price of a cab downtown, and no traffic problems.
I'm suggesting this service for people visiting staying in downtown Toronto hotels, if they're going near Union. It's still <1/2 the price of a cab downtown, and no traffic problems.
rbt
Senior Member
UPX already has 1 stop too many.
GO has 4 tracks in the upper part of the corridor and very few excuses (other than lack of riders!) for not running plenty of non-express service.
muller877
Senior Member
I hope the final plan for the Crosstown (or Finch) will include a free zone in the airport area. Takes over the ROW for the LINK (including a total rebuild) plus an extra stop at the GO Train line (at the new North Etobicoke stop near Woodbine) and a second stop at the other end of T1 once it's rebuilt (T1 International stop, T1 Domestic stop...US sorry, you have to walk to the middle). 10+ years out but then we can have a real express train to Union without a stop at Weston. And then the RER system can run to GO Woodbine (including the stop at Weston) and the LRT line will allow for an efficient transfer. Woodbine can act as an even cheaper lot for Pearson, a commuter parking lot, a future casino parking lot, etc. Basically a massive parking structure surrounding the future casino and racetrack.
City gets their ROW through the airport, airport has a great shuttle between the terminals. Win-win
And if it is proposed maybe we can stop listening to the complaining about the express service.
MetroMan
Senior Member
The last thing I want to depend on to not miss my flight is taking a cab in Toronto traffic.
I once left home with about 2.5 hours until my flight and because of games at SkyDome and ACC and Gardiner construction, it took my cab 25 minutes to move from Spadina and King to Spadina and Lakeshore. I ended up rerouting my cab to Union Station and took the subway to Kipling. I arrived at the airport with 30 minutes until my flight. Talk about a close call. With UPX, I get to avoid that stress. I walk to Union Station and am guaranteed to be at the airport in 30 to 40 minutes max. That's worth the $19 to me.
LNahid2000
Senior Member
Like I said before, traffic is usually only an issue if you're leaving for the airport between 4pm and 7pm. Maybe I've always been on time without using the UPX because I rarely need to be at the airport during that time period.
MetroMan
Senior Member
That's not true. There is no such thing as "rush hour" in Toronto anymore. Any time could end up being a crawl. I live on King St. and Spadina and for no good reason at any time of the day, there'll be a lineup of cars backed up several blocks trying to get on the Gardiner way down on Lakeshore. While you can avoid times that you know for sure there'll be gridlock, the truth is that you can't predict traffic in Toronto anymore.
Megaton327
Senior Member
For the 427 that goes double--generally, in UPX conversations, when somebody asks what's a good time to take a taxi/Uber/192 up the 427, the standing response is "not between 6:30 AM and 7:30 PM".
Of course it is often fine at those times, but I have found the northbound 427 far more prone to random jams in the middle of the day, on the weekend, etc., and when it jams up I find it much slower than, say, the unending northbound DVP traffic jam which at least moves.