Flaws of the UP Express Train (and My Thoughts)

You mentioning jobs near or at pearson gave me relief because that was why I think it should cost less, like Pearson is literally a regional industrial hub to the east and many people work at or near the airport in the resturants, for the airport, or for the industrial factories or malls, who wouldn't want to pay a expensive fare every day.

7:38 I wholeheartedly agree with your proposal to simplify fares! When I first moved to Toronto for study, I remember how confused I was when I was trying to get from the Bloor station to Pearson. There were no ticket agents at the office (I can only recall seeing someone behind the desk once), and, not understanding the difference between UP and GO, I accidentally bought a GO ticket. Fortunately I figured out pretty quickly that I just wasted $8, and bought a UP ticket in time to catch the train to Pearson. Thank goodness that the UP readers at least accept Presto cards!

I agree that employees should never be charged the surcharge.

2:40 I would also like to add that running GO trains to the airport would require upgrading the elevated guideway to handle the heavier trains used by GO

I will say that I appreciate the video but don’t agree on the proposed solution. It has been acknowledged that the 2 current stops do not add a substantial amount of time, but without a doubt adding go more to UP will start to make that difference. It is fair to assume the existing UP trains are infrastructure limited due to weight and tracks so your GO train retrofit proposal is a no go. 1st) Bloor/Line 2 connectivity to 15 minute Pearson access is an essential connector and trip generator for those not in the core but on the south west quadrant of the city. I believe much of the uproar and reconsideration was from here, as 30 minute headways would make that usage impractical. It is an important route for airport employees and travelers served by line 2. 2) maintaining 2 stop maximum for UP express, with one stop being for line 2 subway interconnection (so, bloor) and one more - which should be treated as a western UP-GO train transfer hub (to Milton, line 5, Kitchener service) in order to connect commuters, employees and other travelers TO Pearson directly to maximize coverage. 3) for direct Pearson-Union service, the actual obvious solution here is to double the number of trains so that 15 minute connector service can be maintain (but that should probably be 10 minutes) and new trains provides express to union service for that trunk. 4) while probably less popular, the pricing should be set such to disuade regular non Pearson users (I.e. anyone without Pearson as a starting or end stop) where such low pricing affects over capacity where go trains provide should provide similar service. YYZ employees or frequent Pearson users could have their own passes or fare structures to ensure employees are not penalized for transit use. You use Narita and Heathrow’s express services as examples… have you seen how much they charge? The premium service should be priced accordingly(and more fares with full utilization means more and better service …)

Trains from Kitchener already have such a long commute, they should be able to take an express route. While UP trains are currently DMU so they can accelerate and decelerate faster.

The right solution is also the most expensive solution, which would be to get rid of the UP express and it's horrible Viaduct at the airport, and build a GO diversion to Pearson between Etobicoke North and Malton. There's ample space to create this ROW via a hydro corridor and the absurd width of Dixon Road, which could easily accommodate a rail viaduct while still retaining at four lanes. There really should be no issue elevating the entire section, as there was no issue elevating the tangle of highway interchanges that takes up a significant footprint.

this was super informative!!! the fares are definately a mess, i love how im encouraged to take the slow and uncomfortable route to pearson through line 2 and the bus(which i always end up doing) instead of the actual express airport service

I can see great value with the UP Express serving WoodbineJct (Must), Bloor (Important), MtDennis (Great), while eliminating Weston as a UP stop, as each of those stops serve key connections with other routes.

Super well argued. I can’t find any flaws. 😂 If they go with your proposal it would be optimal to have an easy transfer between UP and GO, either a cross platform (tho not sure how that could be done with GO trans coming both ways) or stacked, with lots of access stairs and elevators.

I think GO's plan is to actually raise the platforms for the rest of the network. All new station renovations have a 'potential high floor' platform upgrade in mind. I'm assuming it might go hand in hand with their electrification plan.

The 10 mph restriction at the high platforms is because they are within recommended AAR Plate H clearance.

I actually would have proposed the opposite service pattern as you. Make the GO train express to Woodbine and abandon all intermediate stops. Turn the UP Express into a TTC service, increase frequencies, and add it to the subway map with many new intermediate stations.

I agree with every thing that you say except about GO trains going into Pearson Airport. GO trains are like awkward dinosaurs, and not suitable for slow winding curves as are on the overpass to the airport. The nimble UPX crawls on the overhead as it is with severe speed limits of (I believe) 30mph. The UPX doesn't even serve Terminal 3; you have to switch from Terminal 1 to the cable car overhead to get to Terminal 3. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority seems to not be building the megaterminal to replace Terminals 1 and 3; it's still a dog's breakfast. I live 2 km from the Airport in Malton, and I just walked out of Terminal 3 through the snow to Airport Rd., and waited half an hour for a number 7 bus to take me home; the wait was cold. Also, from the new Carlingview/Woodbine station, have a goodly bus bay, with many cheap buses to the YYZ airport (both terminals); Carlingview and Airport Rd are seldomly jammed up here, even in rush hour, so that buses could move well. Perhaps new underground trains will arrive at the airport in our next lifetimes. There should also be good car and bus ramps to this station from Highway 427 for fast access. Aarre Peltomaa of Mississauga, Ontario

Why's it called the "UP", well because it goes from Union Station the "U" to Pearson International Airport, the "P". So I guess when it is going the opposite direction its called the "P" "U" Express.

Have you ever been to Pearson and tried to transfer feom the UP to local transit from the airport? Its not practical at all.

They also don't allow bicycles on the train. I travel internationally with a bike.

up expess trains should run thought union staion east yto giulwood.

Tbh I was expecting more like 5 minutes of reduction in travel time, for 2 minutes not worth it, better to just keep what capacity it has. Such a waste they way they built it, all proprietary to itself

I really like UP Express and use it frequently. However - please buy some actual real trains instead of the silly hand-me-downs currently being used!