4 ms·
> The reason this is failing is because of awareness I don't think so. On google maps, UP is the only option shown when going from union to pearson. The thing
by lhorie 8y ago
> The reason this is failing is because of awareness
I don't think so. On google maps, UP is the only option shown when going from union to pearson. The thing is that most people still need to take public transit to get to Union station, so it's not convenient enough for most people.
I used to live in Etobicoke where there's an express bus to Kipling station (the closest subway station to the airport). There's also an express bus line from Kipling to the airport. The subway system is run by the same entity (the TTC) as the buses, so a fare to go from Union station (downtown) to Pearson airport costs $3.25 and gets you there in about an hour. Subways run every few minutes and the express line to the airport every 10. By comparison, the UP express (the new train line) fare costs $12.35 and gets you there in about 30 mins, running every 15 minutes. So when considering UP, you're looking at paying $9 more to save maybe 30 minutes travel time (from union station).
BUT, the catch is that UP only goes from the airport to union station. The TTC also serves the entire Greater Toronto Area, so for the same $3.25 you can get from _anywhere_ in the city to the airport, and if you have a monthly pass (which you most likely do if you commute), then it basically costs nothing to go to the airport. Why would you go all the way down to the harbor front just to pay another $12 to go back up to Etobicoke, when you can just take the TTC to go directly to the airport for no extra cost?
- bonestamp2 8y ago> On google maps, UP is the only option shown when going from union to pearson. I guess other people must be different, or maybe not since ridership is low, but I don't check google maps unless I'm the driver (renting a car). If I'm planning on taking a cab I won't even open google maps at the airport, so I don't believe that is the right place to count on raising awareness of UP (for out-of-towners at least). But I do agree with your other point about why people who live in Toronto would rarely use UP... that explains that part of it.